§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can now make any statement as to the loss of life, the injury to persons and the material damage sustained as a result of the earthquake in New Zealand?
Mr. THOMASI fear that it is still too early for a complete statement of the loss of life and damage caused by the earthquake to be available. The telegraphic reports so far sent to me by the 237W Governor-General have been issued to the Press here on their receipt; and the High Commissioner for New Zealand is taking steps to arrange for the immediate publication of the casualty lists as they reach him from his Government. I regret to say that the number of deaths definitely reported up to the present time is 212, though the list is not complete, and, in addition, the number of injured is approximately 950.