“PARLIAMENT WILL DO RIGHT THING.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 63, 16 March 1931, Page 5

“PARLIAMENT WILL DO RIGHT THING.”

party visits desolate AREAS AT WEEK-END

Per Press Association. HASTINGS, March 15. A Parliamentary party, organised by Mr W. E. Barnard, M.P., visited the earthquake area, thirty-five members of the legislature, including the Hon J. B. Donald and Mr H. E. Holland Arriving at Napier by special • train on Saturday night. Sunday morning was devoted to an inspection of the devastated city and the surrounding district. Members' of the party agreed that the most graphic description of the scenes of desolation could not convey an adequate conception of the extent and nature of the damage. They were full of admiration for the manner in which the citizens of Napier had handled the situation and the wonderful progress made in clearing the debris from the' streets and building sites. The visitors inspected the harbour and hospital and on a motor tour saw damaged roads and bridges and the ruins of several homesteads, which furnished further evidence of the appalling violence of the visitation. The Mayor, Mr Vigor Brown, and several other speakers stressed the urgency of the situation and the importance of giving immediate effect to measures, financial and other, of relief. Magnitude of Disaster. Mr Holland said that prior to this visit he had no conception of the magnitude of the disaster. The Labour party was prepared to have the Ad-dress-in-Reply debate suspended at any stage selected by the Government in order that legislation affecting the Hawke’s Bay area might be taken up at once. The -whole city should be cleared of debris as soon as possible and finance should be provided to enable the work of reconstruction to go ahead right away. A city like Napier should not be allowed to remain as it was when the resources of the country were what they were at present. There was no division in Parliament regarding a desire to assist the stricken area. Mr R. A. Wright, M.P., said all were members of one family and all should help the one who was stricken. Napier should be re-instated and members of the House would support the Government in any measure in reason within the resources of the country to achieve that object. Mr G. C. Munns, M.P., said the Government had shown it was in earnest by already doing something tangible for the area which had suffered. The House had to act carefully. To provide £10,000,000 at a moment’s notice, as had been suggested, would be absolutely wrong. Mr Munns paid a tribute to the magnificent work which citizens had done in rehabilitating Napier. The Hon J. Hanan, M.L.C., said Parliament would do the right thing and thf. community as a whole would act generously towards the stricken area. Further speeches indicated that the visit of the Parliamentarians was greatly appreciated, Mr Barnard stating that the tone of the speeches would greatly cheer the inhabitants, who believed that members of Parliament were anxious to do the utmost to re* store Napier.