FARMING ACTION Measures for relief

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32563, 24 March 1971, Page 1

FARMING ACTION Measures for relief

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, March 23. Standard relief measures would be given fanners in four areas affected either by floods or drought, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Carter) anounced today.

The areas are North Taranaki and the Waitotara Valley, which were subjected to heavy rain in February; and Horowhenua - Hutt and Strath Taieri, both of which are suffering the effects of prolonged dry weather.

After discussions between Mr Carter and the member for South Canterbury (Mr R. L. G. Talbot) today on the drought threat in South Canterbury, Mr Carter gave assurances that the situation was being watched closely. The discussions followed information received during the week-end from Agriculture Department farm advisory officers at Timaru and Waimate, Messrs M. G. Boyer and J. L. Symons, who reported to Mr Talbot on conditions in their areas. Mr Talbot said that the worst affected areas were in the Waimate district, which has still not recovered from the prolonged droughts of recent years. Stock numbers in the Waimate area have not built up after the 1969-70 drought Another dry season would have disastrous effects on production. The relief measures announced include refunds of freight costs on hay up to $lO a ton and refunds on freight charges for livestock removed elsewhere for grazing up to 100 miles. In the case of the floodaffected areas this would apply for the outward journey only and for the drought

areas for the homeward journey. The Government would guarantee bank overdrafts to farmers whose rehabilitation after the floods or drought could not be financed from their own resources or from normal sources of credit. A subsidy of up to $lO an acre would be paid for regressing pastures damaged by flooding. It is estimated that the total cost of the relief measures will be $61,000, the Minister said. (Federated Fanners report, Page 3)