AMERICAN DROUGHT

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12903, 2 July 1936, Page 5

AMERICAN DROUGHT

MINISTER’S WARNING ' CONDITIONS MAY-BE WORSE THAN IN 1934 GOVERNMENT PLANS RELIEF ON BIG SCALE (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright). (Received July 1, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 30. A warning that the drought conditions may bo equal to, if not exceeding those of' 1934, was voiced by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Wallace, to-day, as he started on an. extensive inspection tour of the West, after a conference with Mr Roosevelt and officials of various relief organisations. While menacing conditions have been evident in the central and north west areas for some times Mr Wallace revealed that 24 of the most important agricultural States had suffered sub-normal rainfall during the past month, and that a serious moisture shortage was felt through the rnid-West, also in Texas and a® far south-eastward as Tennessee. Mr Roosevelt, according to Mr Wallace, lias organised a. special drought committee to co-ordinate with the Government relief efforts. The immediate problems considered were the succouring of 30,009 to 40,000 destitute farm families' in Wyoming. Montana and Dakota, and inaugurating a 40,000.000 dollar cattle purchasing campaign. Mr Wallace recalled, that -300,000.000 dollars bad been expended during the 1934 drought, and intimated that a -similar programme might be necessary tlii-s: year unless heavy rains are general before July 20.