METHOD OF DISPENSING

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 24, 27 July 1929, Page 10

METHOD OF DISPENSING

CRITICISM RESENTED

The following letter has been sent to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, chairman of tho Central Earthquake Committoe, by Messrs. M. M'Lean, chairman of the Karamea Belief Committee; H. J. Stewart, chairman of the Murchison Relief Committee, and Hugh Fraser, secretary of the Murcbison Relief Committee:— v "In view of tho criticism which has been levelled against the Central Earthquake Relief CommHteo alleging that there has been unnecessary and avoidable delay in the matter of dealing with the reconstruction and rehabilitation in the areas damaged by the recent earthquake, we wish to assure you that with a full knowledge of the conditions ex isting in those areas, and with the procedure of the committee, any delay was unavoidable, and, further, entirely necessary, as no definite action could be taken until full details were available for use by the committee. This, of course, does not apply to the matter of dealing with urgent cases of distress, and with gratitude we recognise the promptitude of the committee in hand ling all sujh cases submitted to it. "We regret that unjustifiable criti cism has been directed at your commit tee, which has done, and is doing, such excellent work, and we unhesitatingly assert that its procedure and prompti tude justify the fullest confidence being reposed in it. We deprecate any criticism which may tend to lessen the flow of much-needed relief funds which, in the aggregate, must amount/ to very large sums if the distressed areas are to be restored and the homes made habitable for those whose personal circumstances aro inadequate for their own rehabilitation. "The public fully recognise that no relief funds will be used for the reconstruction of the roads or for the opening up of tracks, as you have decided that this work comes within the province of councils and the General Government, and we aro pleased to learn that the general public have been informed that these works are under way. '' We wish to express ' our grateful acknowledgment of the magnificently generous response of the general public to the appeal made for funds, and we deprecate any unjustifiable criticism which, by destroying confidence in a most excellent committee, may prejudice the public against continuing their praiseworthy efforts by way of contributions to a cause where additional funds are still so urgently needed."