KOPUAWHARA DISASTER

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 47, 25 February 1938, Page 2

KOPUAWHARA DISASTER

Attitude to Relief Fund WAIROA, Feb. 23. From Our Own Porre«nonO*nt. The Wairoa Borough Council endorsed the action the Mayor. Mr. H. L. Harker, in declining to open a local relief fund in connection with the Kopuawhara disaster. The council at its meeting did not pass a resolution, but members generally agreed with the Mayor’s action. Mr. Harker said that far from attempting to minimise the magnitude of the disaster or trying to stifle public generosity, he had at once authorised the supply of food to the stricken camp. This effort covered the immediate needs, and for the rest they had only to realise that the Government had practically turned a deaf ear to the claims of the Wairoa local bodies for relief in connection with Wairoa’s earthquake loans. While the people of the Dominion were generous, advantage was taken of that to present a scheme of national relief. If he opened a fund now it would only give the Government an opportunity to side-track their plain duty to provide for the relatives of the victims. He believed they would make such provision. One or two of the councillors were a little dubious of the Mayor’s action, but the Labour representative gave his full support to the principle laid down. The Mayor of Hastings, Mr. G. A. Maddison, has received the following reply from the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, to the expression of sympathy telegraphed following the Kopuawhars disaster: —“Will you please convey to the people of Hastings my heartfelt thanks for the expression of deepest sympathy in Saturday’s tragic happening. The thoughts underlying your kind message will ever be remembered by the relatives and friends of those who perished in thii terrible disaster.”