DESTRUCTIVE HAILSTORM

Evening Star, Issue 21623, 19 January 1934, Page 9

DESTRUCTIVE HAILSTORM

WHEAT AND DAT CROPS DESTROYED ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS REQUESTED [Per United Press Association.] ASHBURTON, January 18. The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) to-day inspected the properties in Ashburton County where the hailstorm of January 5 destroyed large areas of wheat and oats. Later, he met a deputation of farmers seeking Government aid to tide them over till next season. . , Mr Forbes said the policy of the Government had been in these cases to give loans on reasonable terms to assist the farmers to weather the storm. Climatic conditions were things over which man had no power, and a reasonable view of the trouble must be taken. Where cases were found by the departmental officials who were making an inspection of men _ who were absolutely dependent on assistance they could rest assured that they would be given some help. Some growers were able to stand up to it, and thy would have to do so. Ail farmers were subject to droughts, floods, and low prices, but this was somewhat unprecedented, like the Hawke’s Bay earthquake. The Government would try to give some assistance to those who were unable to stay on their farms as a result of ,the hailstorm, said the Prime Minister. When the figures were available following the investigations which were being carried out the Government would give the matetr every consideration, and would endeavour to relieve the burdens as much as possible.