NAPIER REFUGEES RETURN.

Hawera Star, Volume L, 26 March 1931, Page 4

NAPIER REFUGEES RETURN.

There could be no mistaking the earnestness of Mr J. vS. Barton, Civic Commissioner at Napier, when he announced that the time had arrived for the return of Najiier refugees to their home town. Mr Barton is known everywhere as a particularly clear-headed magistrate, who does not speak until he has something to say and then makes a point of making himself understood; doubtless this quality in his make-up was one of many which influenced the Prime Minister in appointing him to take over the civic administration of Napier from the Borough Council. The fact that Mr Barton considers that the time lias arrived fo.r Napier people to return to their homes to take part in the work of reconstruction is the happiest comment upon the present state of the town and the prospects for its future that the public has heard since the disaster. It can be taken for granted that the authorities can handle an influx of 1900 refugees a week—a rate of return which has already boon prescribed—and that the best interests of the town and of those with businesses arid homes demand their return. Mr Barton lias not. minced his words in expressing his opinion of those who continue to live upon relief funds while the breadwinners draw wages for their work in the devastated town. “It is a j crying shame that people are staying away as they arc doing. . . . Every Napier citizen living in Wellington or any other place who cats up a pound of food eats up a, sum that might go to the restoration of this city.” Mr Barton has said. It is easy to see the point of his protest; if relief money is being spent upon the maintenance in other places of families who could be accommodated in Napier, that city is being deprived of funds, helpers, trade and some measure of all the activities: which it needs for its reconstruction. I