H.B. FLOOD RELIEF

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 April 1938, Page 7

H.B. FLOOD RELIEF

FOOD SUPPLIES AND ACCESS [PBB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, April 29. No time has been lost by the Government in arranging for relief for the people in the flood-stricken areas of Hawke’s Bay-. Arrangements were. . completed this morning to ensure the continuity of-,: food supplies” fj&r those isolated and to provide acce’ss . for them. Hon. R. Semple, Minister for Public Works, said to-day that road access from Napier to Wairoa w T as cut off, and it would probably be. some months before it was restored. “We have made .all the. arrange- . meats necessary for aerial services,” the Minister said. “The clubs have done wonderful work and Union .Airways have given great service,t-*/ We sent two aeroplanes up from Willington this morning. Trickily the line between Wairoa and Waikokopu is open. There are people who, will not travel by air- and facilities have?tb be provided for them.” The Minister indicated that probably the two Richardson .boats, Pakura and Pukeho, would be licensed to car- ; ry passengers/? Preliminary arrangements had been made to organise A men and machinery to tackle one of. the Dominion’s major disasters. ' - “I can assure all those affected,'arid the public generally,” he said, “that the Government will spare no time or money in - getting priqjilrr back and giving?.maximum relief- tm‘-victims of 'the?, flood. fPhe’ main thing just now. is,to /: open up access and give, relief. Hon. 11. T. Armstrong, Minister for Employment, said' this : mpt*ning . that upon suggestions-by Messrs. W; 'E. Barnard arid E, L. Cull.e.n, members of Parliament, the local, authorities had been authorised to transfer the services of subsidised or' fully paid Labour Department men from various works to the restoration Of” flood danv age. Any other local body employing men under the Department’s scheme, if wanting to use their services for flood restoration, would be granted . immediate permission .on communi- . eating with the nearest? District Employment Officer.’Local-bodies were invited, however, to take advantage of any surplus labour available. - -