EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20341, 23 August 1929, Page 10

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE.

Protests at the Government's dilatorincss in repairing the damage caused by the earthquake ten weeks ago have been supported by a deputation of settlers in the Murchison district to the County Council. They advanced legitimate grievances, the existence of which is manifestly discreditable to the Government. The people have returned to their farms, and while they may wait patiently for compensation for actual damage to their properties, they cannot afford further loss through the hampering of their normal activities. Yet, with the seasonal resumption of production, the valley roads are still impassable for vehicles, the farmers are faced with the costly necessity of sledging or packing cream to the factory. This contingency was foreseen weeks ago, when it was urged that the Government should concentrate its resources on the restoration of the afflicted districts, if necessary transferring labour, plant and material from other public works. It appears, however, to regard its responsibilities for permanent repairs as casually as it watched the original evacuation. The settlers then were left largely to their own resources : now it appears to consider - that bridletracks are sufficient for an area entirely dependent on road transport. The statement by the chairman of the County Council shows that it has done its best to awaken the Government to activity. The position was represented to the Minister of Public Works a month ago, with a request for £12,350 in special grants. The Minister was sympathetic, but his sympathy did not produce any tangible result, and an appeal to the Prime Minister a week ago has yielded no more consolation than a promise that lie would take up the matter with the Minister of Public Works. The only logical interpretation of this communication is that the Government has not yet decided what it is going to do in respect of road damage. Had it done so with icasonablc promptitude the work of reconstruction would by now have been organised and in fair progress in all the areas affected.