DAMAGE BY STORMS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 110, 9 April 1929, Page 2

DAMAGE BY STORMS.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. ADVANCES AT REASONABLE INTEREST. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 8. The decision of the Government to authorise advances up to a total or £SOOO to the producers in the Ha* kes Bay and Oamara districts who suffered damage from hailstorms some weeks ago was announced _ to-day y , , Joseph Ward, who said that he ivished to make it quite clear that and not grants were authorised. The money woud be available only in cases of unusual hardship, where it was abso utely necessary that assistance should be gl slr Joseph Ward pointed out that the Government could not make a general provision for the destruction of crops, etc., by hailstorms and, otnei acts of God. Therefore, an inquiry would be made into the case of eacn applicant for relief, and, where assistance was deemed to be a matter or necessity, advances would be made at a reasonable rate of interest. One s sympathy naturally went out to people who suffered as the result of such unexpected happenings, but the issue would be a very big one if the Government commenced making a general provision for the destruction of property. Steps should be taken beforehand by those likely to be affected by unforeseen occurrences to protect themselves in the event of such misfortunes.