DISTRESS IN THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19419, 30 August 1926, Page 6

DISTRESS IN THE NORTH.

,'Sir, —I have read with interest reports f regarding distress in the Far North and ! am rather surprised at Mr. Allen Bell's contradiction of them, although he admits it is common knowledge that the gum market has been in a state of collapse for the last two or three years. Ho says that, realising there was likely to he trouble during the present rainy season, he secured an authorisation of £1250 for relief works from Waipapakauri northward, and also another £IOOO through the Minister. of ; Public Works. Does Mr. Bell, disbelieve the statement by Mr. M. Priestley, of the Education Board, who has been tlirough tho camps and seen things "as they are. In his visits to the North, did he go off the main road after getting to Kouliora and look through the diggers' camps and makd any personal inquiries ? Would he make inquiries as to who were the people who received relief through the moneys received from the Minister of Public Works, and what wcrn their circumstances? Can he toll us why the Kauri Gum Control Board is not in full going order yet and why the Government lias stopped buying kauri gum Why have all sports stopped this two years from Waipapakauri, northwards, suth- as races, cricket, football and every other sport, where there used to lie a sportii:g community. Does not all this show poverty I Is there another place in.New Zealand that has to give up, every kind of sport to keep the pot boiling. What is Mr,; Bell's idea of distress , rio has been to Houhora a few times sumo last election arid each time there has been a deputation to him or the Minister with him;-and ft lias always been to ask foi some help and I think, as Mr. Pnfsstley does, 4tnt the dinners do not squeak foi nothf ?K. very ill percontago of dleeors to-tho North who are not v. oil to tofc sto>eltoe|)eis, aod the sano armlies toathe storekeepers to the mei chants! -One Of The Debtor