FACIAL ECZEMA

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 128, 2 June 1938, Page 24

FACIAL ECZEMA

LOSSES BY FARMERS

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

Active steps have been taken by the Government to see that those farmers who suffered losses in the recent outbreak of facial eczema among stock are assisted according to theirN, circumstances, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) said in an interview today.

"The Government is much concerned with the losses being suffered by farmers through the ravages of the disease known as facial eczema," said the j Prime Minister. "In the case of any disaster of such magnitude that the unfortunate' people concerned are unable to cope with.it out of their own resources the Government representing the people as a community will always hasten to their assistance. Reports received by the Government indicate that in some cases losses of stock from facial eczema are so heavy as to cripple the farmers concerned financially.

"Accordingly, following the practice in the case of severe floods or "other major disasters, assistance will be given to those individuals who otherwise would be unable to carry on with their farming operations. The guiding factor is the man's income and financial position generally. Where necessary special loans on easy terms will be made available to finance farmers over their difficulties.

"To enable the matter to be dealt with expeditiously, arrangements are being made for a supply of the appropriate application forms to be available in the district offices of the Department of Agriculture at Hamilton and at Wellington, and these may be obtained by farmers on request. The application form should be completed and sent direct to the Hamilton office of the Department of Agriculture, and upon receipt of the application there an inspector from that Department will call to discuss the position with the applicant and make a report oh the facts of his case in order that the Government may be able to determine without delay the measure of assistance necessary.

"A small committee, comprised of an officer of the Treasury Department, an officer of the Department of-Agnciil-, ture, and a farmers' representative, is being set up to consider these' applications .when they are received,' together with the Departmental reports, and the committee's recommendation in each case will then be forwarded to the Government for consideration. Farmers who are unable to carry on without assistance from the Government should therefore submit application, on the appropriate form for consideration, "In addition to the provision where necessary of financial assistance," added. Mr. Savage, "the Government some time ago arranged for expert i officers of the Scientific and Industrial Research and Agricultural Departments to mike thorough investigation in the districts, affected in, an effort to discover the cause of,the outbreak 'and' the steps necessary to";-,'prevent i its recurrence. : .. These Investigations are still continuing,- and the;; Departments concerned are closely co-pperating with a view to bringing to '* bear on ;the problem the fullest, strength Of the Government's scientific staffs."