RAGING AND RELIEF.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1931, Page 6

RAGING AND RELIEF.

It is not unnatural that there should he a good deal of uncertainty in many minds as to the attitude to be adopted just now towards the ordinary activities of the community. The tragedy which has befallen Hawke’s Bay is a national tragedy; the care of the (bereaved and suffering is a national duty, which most people are eager to perform. There can be no question but that deep sympathy is felt everywhere for those immediately affected by the disastrous earthquake, but that sympathy will serve no practical purpose if it finds its expression in the assumption of sackcloth and ashes. It would be obviously futile, for instance, to mark the national feeling tby stopping work for a day and going into mourning. The Prime Minister has very wisely asked the churches to hold suitable services to-morrow, and their compliance with that request will give every individual ‘an opportunity to express his feelings. But. on week-days it is eminently desirable that all those whom the earthquake did not seriously affect should carry on their normal activities. The relief fund to meet immediate distress is only the first call to' be made upon the rest of the Dominion, for the greater task of reconstruction must be faced later on, and the people of New Zealand as a .whole must assist in the rehabilitation of the stricken community. In order that they may be able to do so they should continue to pursue their normal course, and there is no real reason why that course should not include the usual play as well as work. Nothing is to' be gained by the bandonjnent of race meetings, sports gatherings and entertainments, and it may be that such activities will not only serve to lighten the gloom that is natural at such a time as the present but also produce 'some benefit for the relief funds. If people feel that they can do something to help by indirect contributions by all means let them do so; there is no reason why those who prefer to give assistance in other ways should resent or criticise their action. But it will be well if everyone will consider these matters coolly and dispassionately. The Taranaki Jockey Club, with the very best intentions, has asked the Government to -forego the taxation on its race meeting next week for the benefit of the relief fund, and the Government has agreed on certain conditions. These mean that a sum of money will'be collected for the fund, but not necessarily that the whole amount thus made available will be an addition that otherwise would not have been received. The Government’s revenue will suffer, and if racing clubs all over the country are given similar concessions the loss of revenue will be considerable. Yet the Government will have to find money, at the cost of the taxpayers, to help Hawke’s Bay in its reconstruction. The racing people are to be commended for their desire to help at some expense to themselves, but the remission of taxation is a wrong principle. The Government will be well advised to think over ' this matter again. Its revenue should be carefully safeguarded, since abnormal calls will have to be met before long, and Ministers should be able to realise the wisdom of preventing the confusion of ideas that is inseparable from the mingling of private generosity with public finance.