EARTHQUAKE RELIEF.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1931, Page 6

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF.

Doubtless those members of Parliament who shared in the official jaunt to Hawke’s Bay during last week-end have coma away fully . convinced that the needs of the stricken, areas are great and that the emergency is more than a local disaster. Whether it was necessary to put the country to the expense of the trip in order to make these facts appreciated in the Legislature ffiay b® open to question, blit apparently it is the way that Parliamentarians think is. best. At all events the people of Hawke’s Bay have been again assured of the sympathy and desire to help of the whole Dominion. There was some rather loose talk by some members about raising millions for restoration purposes, though it was significant that nothing was said on behalf of the Ministry that would commit the Government to more than its present undertaking to find £1,500,000 for immediate requirements. That is to be provided from funds invested in London for emergency purposes, and the fact that an emergency has arisen at home instead of in London justifies the use of funds earmarked for such special purpose. The emergency fund is to be recouped by a super ta.x of Is fid per cent, on the vaffie of all insurable property in the Dominion, the tax being made an addition to premiums paid to insurance concerns and collected direct from those who carry their own insurance. Whether those who are improvident enough to leave tljeir property uninsured will escape the additional tax, has not been made though it* is probable this loophole for evasion will be guarded agaiiist when the necessary legislation is drafted. Another point that requires consideration is whether the flat rate surtax will operate quite fairly. All insurable property is not subject to the same risk, rates of premiums are higher in some towns than in others, and the location and construction of insured premises have a marked bearing upon the premiums demanded, These are matters for deliberation by the House, and the Ministry will be the readier to accept amendments to its proposals that seem desirable now that it has received full assurance that they will be intended as assistance in a project which all political parties desire to further.