FARMERS HARD HIT

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 179, 27 April 1938, Page 10

FARMERS HARD HIT

The Hawke's Bay people, farmers especially, will be assured of widespread sympathy in their latest affliction. They have already suffered considerably from floods earlier in the year, but the inundations of the week-end, described as the worst visitation since 1897, may well be classed as a major disaster. In addition to doing extensive damage to rail and road communications, the floods have resulted in losses to the farming community which cannot at present be estimated with any degree of accuracy. It is certain, however, that these will be very heavy. Coming on top of high farm costs and taxation, which have cut into their marginal resources, this latest calamity must be a severe blow to those whose lands and stock have been flooded.

In more way? than one the farmer has to contend with circumstances entirely beyond his control. He is unable to balance his rising costs by adjusting his prices. Troubles of various kinds await round the corner, and he can neither predict nor forestall them. Not only are floods and other visitations of Nature to be feared. There are also stock and plant diseases, and insect pests. As an instance, farmers in the Waikato district and further north are now suffering heavy losses by an outbreak of facial eczema among their stock. These are the things that should be remembered, but are too often overlooked, when the conditions of the farming industry are being discussed by politicians and others.