Rural Bank assistance for flood victims

Press, 15 July 1983, Page 3

Rural Bank assistance for flood victims

Marlborough and Takaka flood victims will be eligible for assistance through disaster relief loans from the Rural Bank, said the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Maclntyre, in Blenheim yesterday. After an inspection of some of the worst floodaffected areas in Marlborough Mr Maclntyre assured farmers that help would be offered by way of Rural Bank loans. He said no form of “special assistance as such” would be given.

On his arrival in Marlborough yesterday afternoon, Mr Maclntyre was taken by four-wheel-drive vehicle to meet farmers whose properties were damaged in the week-end flooding.

He also met residents of Tuamarina, which bore the brunt of the flooding in the

Marlborough district. Mr Maclntyre said the people he met were “delighted to know the Rural Bank is able to help them.” He said any money needed in repairing the flood damage “will be there for them.”

Mr Maclntyre said he had gained a clear picture of the situation and was impressed by the spirit shown by the people.

“It is one of New Zealand’s characteristics; we do not talk about it, but will get in and give a hand. It is heartening to see,” he said. Mr Maclntyre praised the use of P.E.P. labour which is being organised to help in flood relief work in the Marlborough region. “The idea is excellent,” he said.

On his return to Wellington, Mr Maclntyre said he would be talking to the

Minister of Labour, Mr Bolger, about expanding the scheme.

He said he would be reporting on his visit to Cabinet when it meets on Monday. He would also be discussing the situation with the Minister of Lands, Mr Elworthy. The Marlborough Catchment Board has received interim assistance of $200,000 from Government to help with initial repairs to flood control schemes. The chief engineer, of the board, Mr Peter Thomson, said he hoped the cost of repairs would be under ?1 million but it probably would be more. Mr Thomson said that at this stage he was unable to estimate the cost of repairs and to determine the extent of damage to the board’s flood control works.