RESTORATION WORK

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11450, 26 February 1931, Page 6

RESTORATION WORK

COMMISSION SUGGESTED

PROPOSED NEW FORA I OF

CONTROL

A new form of control over the restoration work in the earthquake area is about to be set up by the Government. No details are obtainable officially, hut there is good reason for stating that it- will probab.y consist of a special conmnss’on made up of persons not resident m Hawke’s Bay, with a magistrate as chairman, and that if all goes well it should be functioning by the end of the present week. ‘ The question of control was discussed with Die authorities in Napier and Hastings by the lion. R. Masters, and lie will report upon the matter to the. Prime Minister. Inior viewed before bis departure for Daunevirke, Air. Masters said the emergency bodies lof mod after the earthquake, as, for, example, the Citizens’ Control Committee at K«pier. had done admirable work, which could not. be too highly praised. Incidentally, they lmd had to do many ' tilings without any legal .authority whatever and even contrary' to law. For instance, they had closed Die hotels although the law,' strictly speaking, required, them to remain open, even a I te>- an earthquake. In fact, every’ hotel in Napier and Hastings had forfeited its licence by closing. A good cleal of ■ legislation would be I required, not only to give special powers' needed for restoration iu the earthquake area, hut also to validate many illegal but yecessary administrative ’ acts' that had been performed in' the 'emergency. It was now, obvious ■, Dial a stage "had; been reached at which the temporary organisations \\'er ; e no longer suitable. ft - .was the Government's dasire that, the local bodies-should resume their usual-functions under , a special,; system. of; control which the Govormftent lmd in view*. ,