N.Z. CONTRIBUTION

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1944, Page 4

N.Z. CONTRIBUTION

FOR POST-WAR RELIEF

Over Two and a-half Millions

BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT P.A. WELLINGTON, Nov 23 A debate on the U.N.R.R.A. was opened in the House to-night by Hon. W. Nash. He read the United Nations Relief and - Rehabilitation Administration Bill. Mr. Nash saict the U.N.R.R.A. was not a reconstruction body. Its purpose was to rehabilitate people and countries which had been over-run by giving them food anl clothing, by establishing health, sanitary and other services and by assisting them to restart the cultivation of their lands. A. long term reconstruction would be undertaken through the organisation set up at Bretton Wood. Mr. Nash emphasised that the . U.N.R.R.A. could not enter any liberated country without the consent of the Government concerned. It was expected that between 750 and 800 million pounds would be required by the U.N.R.R.A. (that was - in N.Z. and our share was £2,600,000. This, was on the basis or one per cent, of our national income that being the basis adopted in fixing the contributions of the contributing countries. The U.N.R.R.A. wanted agricultural machinery from New Zealand, and it anticipated that we could supply other commodities. New Zealand was represented on the Supplies Committee and also on the Far East- Regional Committee of the U.N.R.R.A. which would, probably, meet in Australia early next year. Mr. Nash said that we should go to* the limit, if necessary, to finct what was required to restore the - health of the' people in the devastated countries, including the British. It was self-interest that we should back up the U.N.R.R.A. Unless, tne devastated countries could be restored to prosperity they would lack the purchasing power to buy our goods. Mr. F. Doidge (Nat. Tauranga) said the Opposition agreed, as every right thinking person must, with the lofty ideals of the U.N.R.R.A. But there were some difficult obstacles tovercome. When the war ended, there would be ip Europe such accumulated hate as the world had never known, and it was to be hoped that the U.N.R.R.A. would provide healing mercy to overcome the tragic situation. Unless the United Nations could achieve something near a miracle, chaos and pestilence would sweep over Europe, and the U.N.R.R.A. provided necessary machinery for that stupendous undertaking. If China, India, and Russia were included in the province of the U.N.R.R.A. it would mean that hair of mankind would be called upon to contribute to the restoration of the other half. Setting up organisations in liberated countries would not be easy. The U.N.R.R.A. has been the subject of some suspicion that it was being used to apply political pressure, or that it would be used as a means of enforcing compliance with the Bretton Wood’s Conference currency plans. Mr. Doidge said that there would be disappointment if New Zealand’s co-operation with the U.N.RR.A. were limited to the Far Eastern Region: Everv New Zealander would be glad if we could be giben the task of co-operating in helping Greece with whom we had an association which would never be broken. • , Mr. C. H. Chapman (Govt. Wellington North) said if we were to be successful in helping others, we must establish . a sound post-war economic position at home because conditions such as those that arose after the last war, if allowed to recur would prevent us from assisting anyone. „ Mr. R. M. Algie (Nat Remuera), said the war was not yet over, but beginnings of the post-war period were here, and this Bill was the first stirrings of that period. The. Bill was a- simple one. It asked New Zealand to vote two and a half millions for the relief of distress. ,We might, have been asked for more. We certainly could not have been asked for less. The question was, should this money be voted and everyone in the country who took an intelligent interest in the scheme must answer yes. Mr. W. M. Denham (Govt. Invercargill) said he believed the United Nations could succeed -in . what they were undertaking. There had been great devastation in the stricken areas, but science and modern machinery could restore everything in a comparatively short time if the nations would get together and produce the materials needed. . . The debate was continued on similar lines until the adjournment at 10.30. BIG U.S.A. CONTRIBUTION.

FOR HOUSING IN DEVASTATED AREAS'. (Rec. 11.50). NEW YORK, Nov. 23. Much of the vast amount of emergency housing in the war production centres- throughout America is apparently destined to abroad to nil the critical building needs in the devastated areas, reports the New York Times. Entire towns may be torn down and transported to Europe to shelter bombed-out residents, and to provide schools, clinics, and warehouses until these can be rebuilt permanently. There are over 400,000 temporary demountable and dormitory Federal housing units throughout America. have cost over one thousand million dollars. Under the law, they must be removed within • two year? after the wa'c to prevent the development of “ghost” towns, such as plagued many areas after the last war.