DISASTER RISKS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1932, Page 3

DISASTER RISKS

INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT. NEW ZEALAND’S PART. ;The Department of External Affairs received advice last week that the International Relief Uniori, an orgariisation formed under the jurisdiction of the League of Nations, will officially come into existence on December 27. The object of the union, about which a question was recently asked in the House of Representatives, is to give assistance to any of the nations which comprise its membership in the event of. a disaster such as flood or earthquake. The formation of such an international union was originally suggested about ten years ago by an Italian named Ciraolo. The League of Nations adopted his plan and drew .up a convention, which was considered at a special conference at Geneva in-July, 1927. The convention was signed by a number of Powers, and New Zealand acceded to it in November, 1928. The objects of the union as set out in the convention are:—

(1) In the event of any disaster due to force majeure; the exceptional gravity of which exceeds the limits of the powers and resources of the stricken people, to furnish to the suffering population first aid and to assemble for this purpose funds, resources and assistance of all kinds. - - • . -

(2) In the event , of any public disaster to co-ordinate the efforts made by relief organisations and in a general way to encourage the study of ■ preventive measures against disasters and. to induce all peoples to render mutual international assistance. 1 ■ Each of the nations signing the agreement was required to contribute to the establishment of an initial fund of the union by subscribing a number of shares, each of 700 Swiss francs, equal to the numbe'r of units of its contribution to the League of Nations. New Zealand therefore takes ten shares, representing an amount of some £270. Once this initial fund is established the union has to depend upon voluntary grants made by Governments, private contributions and donations and bequests. In view of the present condition of.national and international finances, it is considered unlikely that the union will have any considerable funds at its disposal for some time to come, and that its work in the meantime will be severely restricted. The union was not to come into force until ratifications or accessions had been deposited in the - names of at least 12 nations and until 600 shares •’ had been subscribed. Although many more than 12 States have joined, until recently their combined contributions have not amounted to this number of shares. This - week, however, the Department of External Affairs has received advice from the League of Nations that with the accession of Persia, the 27th nation to join, the shares subscribed now exceed 600, and that the convention will accordingly come-into force on December 27, 1932. The New Zealand Government will now be required to forward its contribution to Geneva.