CANTERBURY FLOODS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 59

CANTERBURY FLOODS.

“ MEN FACE FINANCIAL RUIN.” CHRISTCHURCH, June 7. Reference to the recent heavy floods experienced in North Canterbury was made by Mr W. W. Mulhollund in his presidential address at the annual provincial conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (North Canterbury district) to-day. He expressed the opinion that the Government should assist farmers who had suffered losses. Mr Mulhoiland said that in a number of districts the benefits of the good season were almost, and in some cases totally, swept away by the disastrous floods early last month. In some cases men face financial ruin in consequence. “I think it would be a great pity if they are allowed to leave their farms without, an effort being made to assist them. Your executive has instituted inquiries, and so far as replies have been received it would seem that the number of those who have suffered serious losses is not so large as might have been expected, and I think it is clearly the duty of the Government to come to the assistance of such as have. Speaking generally, the good that will result from the thorough soaking of the soil right at the beginning of winter and the wholesale destruction of insect and animal pests will far outweigh the damage done, but the unfortunate part of it is that the loss has been largely borne by a comparative few.”