EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 260, 1 November 1929, Page 5

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

WOBK OF CENTRAL COMMITTEE [ Per Press Associatio . J WELLINGTON, Oct. 30. Mr G. C. Black asked the actingLeadcr of the House to-day -whether he would consult with the Prime Minister with a view to holding a meeting at an early date to deal with applications for assistance. The Hon. G. W. Forbes replied that he would be pleased to do so. He added: “It may, however, be explained that the work of the sub-committec has not yet been finally completed, as applications are still being received. The sub-committee has given consideration to a large number of claims and grants totalling £54,288 have been recommended. The sub-committee has generally followed the recommendations of the district committees, but in a few instance's where settlers can bo expected to provide free labour, slight reductions have been made. The recommendations of the sub-committee have been appoved in anticipation of the approval of the central committee and the decisions have been conveyed to the district relief committees so that relief measures are not being delayed in any way. ‘ ‘ Grants totalling £20,047 have been authorised on the recommendation of the Murchison committee and £4109 on the recommendation of the Karamea committee. The latter committee is itself dealing with claim under £l5. In the case of Maruia and Corbyvale settlers, where lack of access is the trou. ble, the position has been met by authorising the payment of allowances to Maruia settlers and in regard to Corbyvale a similar provision will be made, but the committee is aw’aiting information as to the number of dependents of settlers there. The secretary to the Karamea committee, who was in Wellington to-day, stated that this information would be supplied very shortly. “In some cases the sub-committee has considered it expedient to hold over applications pending the receipt of further information. Applications which have not been dealt with are mostly confined to people in more or less comfortable circumstances, and to applications by institutions. It may be added that two members of the subcommitte recently visited the districts and conferred with the local committees in regard to claims where sufficient information had not in the first instance been supplied. The local committees visited had no complaint to make as to the administration of the relief measures.