DROUGHT VICTIMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22463, 6 July 1936, Page 10

DROUGHT VICTIMS

AMERICAN FARMERS

SERIOUS DESTITUTION MEASURES FOR RELIEF \ By Toleprrnph—Vross Association—Copyright (Hccflivcd July 5, 5.5 p.in.) WASHINGTON, July '1 The Government to-day announced a scheme, the cost of which probably will exceed 100,000,000 dollars, for creating future reserves in the present drought areas. Destitute farmers will be paid to terrace their lands, build ponds and dam streams. The creation is also announced of a federal livestock feed agency to facilitate the movement of cattle in the affected areas through the Western railways, which have been authorised to reduce the rates for the transportation of forage to dry areas. The agricultural conservation programme has been modified for the east and central region to enable farmers to qualify for compensation and still to produce more crops for consumption on the farm.

Desolation and Suffering Rains are falling in the south-east, but the weather bureau holds out little hope of rain in the stricken north-west-ern zone, where parching heat is recorded. The only optimistic note in a report, of the Bureau of Entomology is that the drought has been destructive of many insect pests, though it favours some

A graphic picture of the desolation and suffering in the drought-stricken areas is painted in a report issued by the Works Progress Administrator, Mr. Hopkins. Most of the great plains area faces its third major drought in six years. In practically all the areas the severe drought of 1934 has intensified the distressing rural economic conditions which now have been accumulating over a period of a year. On the North Texas plains wind erosion has damaged as much as 95 per cent of the crop land, a large proportion of it so badly that it is of questionable value for future crops. Pasture lands in some localities are less than a fourth of normal, and the shortage of feed crops has compelled the reduction bv 50 per cent of herds. In some counties 90 per cent of the farmers were on relief in 1935 and successive crop failures have pauperised tho population.

Whole Communities Assisted Somo of tlio drought areas, notably North and South Dakota, have been in a distressed condition for six years as the result of droughts, grasshopper plagues, dust storms, soil erosion and low crop prices. Whole communities of people have been compelled to accept emergency assistance and 40 to 50 per cent of the lands'in the drought area have been mortgaged, while G2 per cent of the farmers are tax delinquents. The report suggests the conversion of crop lands to pasturaged to increase the grazing industry and the removal of farming families to better lands. It is estimated that 50,000 families will need assistance of one kind or another.

The States chiefly affected are Texas, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. Minnesota alone has 6000 square miles of drought area.