CALL OF "THE BAY”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 58, 10 March 1931, Page 6

CALL OF "THE BAY”

REFUGEES IN WANGANUI > THEIR DESIRE TO RETURN In accompanying the Rev. GKing yesterday, wnen he was visitini the reiugces in Wanganui, a “Chroul iclc” reporter was struck with the Uol .sire on all sides lo return to Hawke’i e Bay as soon us possible. Women whi were away irum neir husbands wunieq to return to care tor them : nd to taal their share ot the difficulties and th 4 troubles in restoring homes. As uni put it, she thought that it was theii only io be besiue their husbands, ano to ncJp them. During the day, all cluases were mctl Some were those who had Incuus m lh< city, and had come lo stay with tUemi Ulners had been billeted uut. Uluerf again, were living m homes loaned ta Cue ivchef Committee, and in sum* cases furnished by the committee, 'lak* mg the day as a whole it cuuld be said that all were happy- There was ouljj one complaint, a Wanganui womaq thought that the refugee parents 14 vy anganui, should do mure Jur the card of tueir own children, than was Ihi case in which she was concerned. , All through the personal touch is studied. 'J be Rev- b. S. Jving, the Rev* V. A- Bianchi, and JStait-UaptaiM Hawkus, ot the Balsation Army, ar< the member < . the visiting committee. Lvc-ry week each refugee in Wanganui is visited* Fro: the first-hand Know* ledge of the circumstances of thosd from the earthquake area and of tho people with whom they are the executive can be ably advised upon the grant which should be made i? .hat particular case. One important point was the com siderution of the condition of the re* iugecs before the earthquake. To some, whose husbands had been uut of work fur months, the payment of sustenance money came as a gift rrom Heaven, and with practice born of former necessity, proved enough to Jive compara-* tively well. But to others it was different. They had not to think of money at all before and the 15s a week represented only pocket money. One house was occupied by two wo- 1 men and five children. The house was neat and spotlessly clean. Another was furnished by the citizens of Wan-

ganui and in charge of it was a yuun" wife, having there her three children* ►She was eager to return to her husband. The house was well furnished and as clean as busy hands could mako it. |

Throughout the day the visitor enquired where the husband was, if tho women folk hoped to return to Hawke's Bay, how the children were;

how they were faring at their new i school. Those whom the Aiinist. a visited spoke to him frankly of few troubles, their experiences and of their children. All were most appreciative of what had been done foj them, but through the whole, was tho desire to return to Hawke’s Bay and take part in the rebuilding of homeskThey wished to cheer and help their husbands, who were, with only one exception, back in the earthquake area.