PRIVATION IN AMERICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20649, 22 August 1930, Page 11

PRIVATION IN AMERICA.

DROUGHT AREA FAMILIES. MANY ENTIRELY DESTITUTE. FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received August 21, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 20. A survey by a United Press correspondent of tho conditions in the droughtstricken areas reveals stories of tho poverty and acuto suffering of many families. There have been numerous cases of actual starvation and severe privation Tho correspondent tells of many acts of charity porformed by neighbours whose crops were spared. In the Van Burcn county, Arkansas, 150 families are entirely destitute. The main picture in Arkansas is one of dejection and helplessness. The crops are burned up, the water is exhausted and farmers are rushing their livestock to the market before tho cattle die of thirst. Cash is scarce and the farmers can do little to help themselves. Farms in Montana will yield only fivo bushels of wheat to tho acre. In tho McLain county, Oklahoma, 75 per cent, of the farmers aro without stock-feed. The banks can finance only 10 per cent, of the requirements for autumn feed and pasture planting Eastern Dakota and Minnesota have the best crops for four years and aro expecting good profits owing to the highei prices duo to tho drought. Tho National Drought Committee at a meeting with tho President, Mr. Hoover, decided to call in a banking representative to consult him about a plan to utilise tho Federal farm loan system in order to finance needy farmers through tho winter. The amount likely to bo required is estimated at nearly £4,000,000.