DROUGHT IN SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19251, 15 August 1924, Page 5

DROUGHT IN SOUTH CANTERBURY.

ASSISTING THE SETTLERS. (Fboh Odr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 14. In the House of Representatives this afternoon the Hon. Mr Nosworthy made a statement in connection with the decision to give some assistance to dairy fanners in South Canterbury who aro genuinely in need of Government help, in the matter of payment of the cost of railage on fodder for their cattle. “My departmental officers,” said the Minister, “have been making inquiries as to the extent to which farmers are actually suffering loss consequent upon tho extreme shortage of feed for their stock. As a result of this a report has come to hand stating that some dairy farmers are genuinely in need of assistance, and consequently it had been decided to give this assistance in tho form of a refund of the cost of railage on feed brought in from outside districts. In connection with this it is necessary to establish some systematic method of giving so that it is ensured that only those farmers who lire genuinely in need of it can participate. The necessary working arrangement between the Department of Agriculture, which will have to find the money, and the Railway Department, has also to bo made. Instructions have already been sent to Canterbury .for the department's officers to work out tho necessary details and submit t-.em to Wellington as quickly as possible so that the relief scheme can be put .into operation promptly. The assistance referred to will be confined to free railage on feed for dairy stock owned by persons financially unable to pay railage. Applications should be made to the stock inspector at Timaru, and should state the quantity and the class of feed, and the locality from which it is to be obtained. Bach case will bo considered on its merits, and the applicants will bo advised by telegram of the department’s decision.”