Concern over drought relief

Press, 1 August 1989, Page 2

Concern over drought relief

By

CHRIS MAHONY

in Timaru Delays in finalising the Government’s drought-re-lief package are causing concern to the South Canterbury Rural Assistance Trust The trust’s chairman, Mr Gary Pollock, said time was critical for many farmers; “In a lot of situations the full financial implications of the drought are Only now coming to account with many farmers facing the costs of restocking while handling mounting debt repayments. “The flow-on effects of the drought and debt servicing have had a profound effect on the entire region,” he said. “Immediate support and assistance is vital to the region’s full economic recovery,” Mr Pollock said. He warned that in spite of recent rainfall, drought could return to manay parts of the region if there was not more rain. “The South Canterbury Rural Assistance Trust has always had the view that we should be prepared to assist in a threeyear recovery programme,” he said. “It is clear that the entire rural community is being affected, with a range of rural families facing the dilemma of restructuring. “We have always focused on providing support for these rural families, and not only farmers, who are experiencing stress thrugh the period of restructuring,” Mr Pollock said.