King Country Chronicle. Thursday, February 5, 1931. A NATIONAL DISASTER.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 3263, 5 February 1931, Page 4

King Country Chronicle. Thursday, February 5, 1931. A NATIONAL DISASTER.

Although it is yet impossible to obtain full particulars of the loss of life and the extent of the damage in the Hawke’s Bay district due to the disastrous earthquake in that area, sufficient evidence is available to prove that this is the greatest calamity of its kind that has befallen this fair country of ours. The awful suddenness of the catastrophe cannot be thoroughly realised except by those involved. Without any warning, while business was being carried on as usual, housewives were engaged in their ordinary occupations, and children engrossed in their scholastic duties, the town was overwhelmed with a terrible catastrophe which has no parallel in this country. We are accustomed to read of such happenings in far distant countries of even greater magnitude. Even in New Zealand there have been such visitations, but the one that has just taken place far exceeds anything that has taken place in the history of European occupation. New Zealand has had several earthquake disasters, some of which involved loss of life and heavy damages, but with its equable climate has not been subject to heavy floods, cyclones, and heat waves such as are experienced in less favoured countries. The last earthquake disaster in New Zealand occurred on the West Coast of the South Island in July, 1929, when the death roll was under twenty, though enormous damage was done to roads and properties. This, however, fades into insignificance when the recent happening is taken into account. The people in the stricken area have had and are still undergoing the most harrowing experiences it is possible for human beings to bear, and many have to mourn the loss of those both near and dear to them, and anxiety for those who are injured. They have seen their homes wrecked in a few moments, all their belongings destroyed, and thousands are homeless. Men have seen their lifetime’s work destroyed without warning, for it is not likely that they will receive insurance for their buildings and stock, and many will be ruined. The situation calls for the whole-hearted and practical sympathy of the whole of the people of this Dominion, who in the past have never been backward in answering such calls as this. Many young children and mothers will be in need of clothing. The Government can be relied on to help in this way, but hundreds of people will be penniless and require assistance not for weeks only but for months. The devastation has spared no one, but it has to be remembered that with the prevailing unemployment there must be large numbers in the stricken district who have been living from hand to mouth, and these must be in dire necessity. Their immediate wants will be made available, but all their belongings have vanished, and this is a case where human nature can show to the best advantage. With so many destitute they will be dependent on the bounty of the more fortunate of their fellow beings. Help is urgently required and must be rendered promptly and generously if these sti’icken people are not to suffer further privations and hardships, and while the country is passing through a period of depression we feel sure that the response from this town will be a spontaneous one. There may be some who are not in a position to give money, but they can help with some article of clothing, for such will be urgently required. The disaster is the greatest in the history of New Zealand, and never before has there been a more urgent need for the people who were not involved in the awful calamity to exercise the principles of charity, the brotherhood of mankind, and generosity towards those so badly in need of assistance in their dire ex- j tremity.