WEATHER FORECASTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 259, 29 July 1941, Page 3

WEATHER FORECASTS

Changed System To Assist

Farmers

To assist farmers, weather forecasts will soon be available daily at post offices, replacing broadcast forecasts, discontinued early in the war. Making this announcement, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, said that the radio forecasts had been cf great value to farmers, and it was only after full consideration had been given to security interests that they were discontinued after war broke out It was then decided that special' “further outlook” forecasts should be made available for publication in the Press, giving au indication of the general conditions to be expected on the day or two succeeding the period covered by the forecast.

“It was realized,” said Mr. Jones, “that these special forecasts would not be as accurate as the 24-bour forecasts, but nevertheless they were of use to the farmer in planning his operations.

“Now it has been decided,” he continued, “to improve this service by reverting to the system in use in 1935, before the extended use of broadcast facilities. That is, weather forecasts will now be made available at noon daily at 116 post offices throughout the Dominion. The cost of this service will be more than offset by the saving in possible losses to the farming community, and, of course, to the community as a whole. It is hoped that the new service will come into operation on August 4.”

Appreciation of the Government’s action was expressed by Mr. A. P. O’Shea, secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union.. He said he desired in particular to thank the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Barclay, who had interested himself in the matter and had raised it with his two Ministerial colleagues most concerned.