ACCOMMODATION WANTED.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 February 1931, Page 6

ACCOMMODATION WANTED.

+ BILLETING OF REFUGEES FOR TWO OR THREE WEEKS. PUBLIC MEETING CALLED FOR MONDAY EVENING. To consider Avhat action sliould be taken to comply with a request that accommodation be found in Levin for some more of the earthquake sufferers, a meeting of the relief committee was held in St. Mary’s Hall yesterday afternoon, and after various possibilities had been discussed it was decided to refer the matter to a public meeting to be held on Monday evening. The Mayoress (Mrs C. Blenkhorn) presided, and there was an attendance of sixteen. The Mayor was also present, and he read telegrams which he had received that day from Major-General E. Young. The first was: “Please inform me urgently if you can take avomen and children from earthquake area and maintain them till they can be repatriated. Telegraph number and when you can take them, to me, Palmerston North.” His Worship wired back stating that the residents concerned, in Levin, would want to know the probable duration of the refugees’ stay. General Young telegraphed in reply regretting that it was impossible for him to give a definite time, and suggesting that the Mayor name a time —say, two or three weeks. His Worship also got into telephonic com*! munication with the Commandant and learnt that the visitors would have to be kept for trvo or three weeks or more; that it was intended to close down the Awapuni camp, but to keep the Showgrounds open; that there were about 4500 refugees in Wellington and the authorities wanted to keep them billeted as long as possible, to save expense, but that Trentham Camp would be opened as soon as possible for their relief. The people to be sent to Levin Avere mostly from Napier, and they would be of a good type. The Commandant Avanted it to be clearly understood that the people undertaking to receive these guests should be in.a position to maintain them. Speaking on the prospects, His Worship said that, from lists compiled, it was shown that there Avere 55 residents Avho had signified their willingness to take one, two, and in some cases three guests, the total for which accommodation was thus promised being 112. These offers had been received over a period, and the committee would Avant to know as early as possible if the intending hosts were still of the same mind, so that he could let the Commandant know how many refugees could come to Levin for the period mentioned. It Avould also be the duty of the Committee to arrange for the conveyance of them to their billets. He asked if the members would consider the advisability of advertising for other residents besides those who had given in their names to accommodate refugees. Awapuni Camp contained from 350 to 400 people. Mrs L. J. Hunter said that a financial question was involved, that avus beyond the scope of the committee; and she suggested that the matter be referred to a public meeting. She felt that individual hosts could not be asked to bear the Avhole cost of maintaining the visitors. Mrs Stallard stated that she had been informed by various business men that they had never been asked to do anything in the relief movement. So ; far the women of the community had /been doing all the Avork. Some of the business people Avere impatient to be helping; they thought there should be a men’s committee to deal Avith the matter directly if refugees were taken. A sum of £SO was in hand which might be used to help those Avho were to provide board. The secretary (Mrs Bartholomew) stated that the sum mentioned had been reduced. Mrs Stallard: I do not see why those who have been so generous as to offer to take them should have to keep them. His Worship: I think these people who have offered to take guests think it the best Avay of fulfilling what they consider their obligations to those people Avho have come from Hawke’s Bay through no fault of their own. I do not think it is a narrow view to take. .It would be almost an insult to go and say to them, “We don’t think it is fair that you should maintain them.” They know their own business best. If they cannot afford to maintain them for this period when asked, it is up to them to say so, and each individual case can be considered on its merits. It is the policy that the larger places are adopting that, before any refugees are alloAved to go into their houses, the people l must say they are willing and able to maintain them for the period. Whatever the number may be, it ought to be ascertained. These people were not invited to send in their names; they volunteered out of the kindness of their hearts. I think that Mrs Stallard’s suggestion is quite a good one. If you find it desirable to help these people with necessities of life, it can easily be done by a subscription list, and I am sure it would very adequately be filled with one and two shilling and half-crown contributions. Many people hesitate to put their names to a national fund because they don’t like to put down half a crown where others have given pounds. Those Avho have signified their intention of affording accommodation should be visited or communicated with and the position placed before them. Negative replies were given to the Mayoress’s question whether some of the ladies Avanted a camp to be established. Mrs Mackenzie said that a public meeting should be called and a men’s committee appointed. The Mayor asked if, in the running of the food depot, the committee was receiving sufficient offers of produce and the like, to carry on. Mrs Mackenzie: No; not nearly. His Worship suggested that another appeal be advertised by the committee, which Avas the recognised authority. He added that the committee had the power to add to its number and could appoint whom it wished. Mrs Hunter said she was quite sure that those who had offered billets did not look on the responsibility as a

burden, but were only too willing to undertake it. Nevertheless, she did not think that they should be permitted to take the whole liability. Mrs Stallard said she knew people who had offered accommodation, who had it to spare, but who could not afford to keep refugees for any period. Mrs Bartholomew stated that several of the persons whose names had been given to her had contributed very freely to the depot, but they could not continue to do so if they had to accommodate refugees. Eventually it was resolved, on the motion of Mrs Hunter, seconded by Mrs Mackenzie, that the Mayor be asked to call a public meeting to consider the request from Palmerston for the billeting of refugees; also to consider the financial burden that may possibly be involved. His Worship agreed, and it was decided that the meeting be held in the Century Hall on Monday evening, at 8 o ’clock.