BAD POSITION OF EX-SERVICE SETTLERS IN FLOOD AREA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22654, 3 June 1948, Page 6

BAD POSITION OF EX-SERVICE SETTLERS IN FLOOD AREA

R.S.A. WILL CONDUCT SURVEY

The fact that many small settlers of the Digger and Kiwi groups have received no benefit as yet from the use of voluntary labour in the flood area, and their positions are in many instances critical as the result of flood damage and loss was emphasised at a meeting of the executive of the Gisborne Returned Sendees’ Association, held last evening.

The possibility of securing assistance for these settlers is to be taken up by the executive as soon as a survey of their needs can be completed. Lack of Manpower It was pointed out that the associa tion had not previously taken action as an individual organisation, because of the existence of a district committee of farmers’ representatives which was handling the special needs of the farm ing areas. Due to lack of available manpower, however, the scope of that committees work left marginal areas in which a considerable number of ex-servicemen were resident, and in which flood damage was heavy. Cases were quoted of men whose homes—seriously affected by silt and floodwater in most cases—were all they had left after the recession of the flood. Their stock was decimated and the> pastures and crops ruined for the season. In other cases the damage was not so comprehensive, but. nevertheless, was sufficiently serious to warrant urgent reiief. Dairymen's Difficulties The executive was informed by Messrs. K. F. Jones and P. Robertson of steps taken to relieve the difficulties

of dairymen whose herds were left without'grazing, and of the serious dislocation which the flood had brought to many productive areas. There were farms in occupation by exservicemen whose production was completely at a standstill, it was reported. owing to a heavy overlay of silt which had partly buried fences and choked all drains. Immediate restoration work could not apply to some of these farms owing to the depth of silt which still lay

soggy and deep on the paddocks. Some homes were so completely isolated bv broad stretches of silt that the inhabitant had hardly any choice but to seek other accommodation until

the new season arrived. The internal state of many homes was most unhappy, and. despite the characteristic hardihood of the exservice settlers, they were faced with a particularly discouraging prospect for the next few months at least.

Following a discussion of possible courses which might bring relief to the flood sutferers in marginal areas, Messrs. K F. Jones and A. 11. Miller were asked to complete as early as possible a survey of the physical problems and report back to the executive. Confidence was expressed that if voluntary labour could be used to good effect it would be forthcoming from the ranks of Diggers and Kiwis in areas spared from flood damage.

MINISTER’S VISIT: DUE HERE TONIGHT

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. E. Xj. Cullen, today inspected flood damage in the Wairoa district and is expected to arrive at Gisborne this evening. Tomorrow he will make a tour of the Gisborne and lower Waikohu flats, where the flood cf May 14 had its most serious effects.

of the Lavenham road through Patutahi to the area south-west of the Waipaoc River and including the Glencoe settlement. Manutuke. the Karawa and portions of the Muriwai area. This itinerary should give the Minister and his departmental officers a comprehensive view of the worst effects of the flooding, and should enable them also to see something of the work of volunteer labour in rehabilitating living conditions for the flood-stricken settlers.

Accompanying the Minister on his visit to the East Coast districts are D. W. Coleman, P.1.P., and departmental officers with experience in the handling of flood aftermaths. A tentative itinerary for tomorrow's inspection of damage in the Gisborne ares will include visits to Waerenga-a-hika, Ormond and Kaitaratahi on the outward journey from town to Te Karaka and Puha, and a return by way

Tomorrow evening the Federated Farmers executive will meet the Minister to submit representations on the forms of aid which the Government might render most effectively for the general rehabilitation of production in the district.