RESTORING HASTINGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 February 1931, Page 5

RESTORING HASTINGS

GOVERNMENT URGED TO ACT (By Telegraph—Press Association) HASTINGS, Tliis Day. Speaking at a Council meeting last evening, the Mayor, Mr G. E. F. Roach, suggested that the Government realise the necessity for raising a loan to rehabilitate earthquake damage in this area. Unless money could be got soon, he said, nothing could be done in the way of reconstruction. “We are entitled to it,” lie said, “there’s no doubt about that.” Many were ready to rebuild so soon as money was available. Councillor Slater: “Cheap money would be far better than a 50 per cent, grant towards earthquake damage.” The meeting passed a resolution urging the Governments to realise the importance of floating the necessary loan. Though the remarks had no connection with the Council’s discussion, Archbishop Aveull ill ail interview urged the same step by the Government. “I consider it the Government’s duty to declare what sort of building is going r to be allowed here.” He added that the Government should ask for a loan from Britain, where interest and sympathy with the Dominion were great. He believed a loan would he subscribed several times over. Unless a loan were raised to enable the people to return and build they might never return at all.