Farmer’s ‘faith in people restored’

Press, 22 April 1986, Page 2

Farmer’s ‘faith in people restored’

By

CHRIS TOBIN

in Timaru Flood-affected farmers have received enormous support from throughout New Zealand, says the president of South Canterbury Federated Farmers, Mr R. W. Fletcher. It “restored one’s faith in human nature,” he said. About 8000 head of stock have been given to 32 farmers and so many other offers of stock came in from North Canterbury to Southland, they had to be declined. Mr Fletcher said support had come from a wide cross-section of people — from Government departments to manufacturers of dog biscuits who had given 13 tonnes of their products to flood-affected farmers. A consignment of about 1800 lambs is expected from Southland in the next few weeks, and fencing work by P.E.P. workers and teams from Mid-Canterbury ■ and North Canterbury continues. Federated Farmers hopes much essential fencing will be completed in the next month before the onset of winter. “There is still a lot of work to be done and I look forward to continued co-operation,” said Mr Fletcher. A Ministry of Agriculture task force has assesed the flood damage cost to farmers as about $1.5 million. Of 350 farms affected, 30 have yet to be assessed.