DROUGHT IN THE KAROO

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16374, 23 June 1927, Page 11

DROUGHT IN THE KAROO

FARMERS FACING RUIN. The unprecedented ravages of drought in the Karoo have brought many South African farmers face to face with ruin. The majority of the men who have suffered most- are, unfortunately, those least able to hear a. setback of such drastic dimensions, being men, who, under normal conditions, by dint of hard work and frugal living, were just able to pay interest on capital, provide their families with the necessaries of life, and give their children an ordinary education. In Beaufort West there are many farmers who had before the drought 3000 stock, but who are now appealing to the local authorities for food. It is a common sight to see carcases heaped up in stacks for the purpose of soiling the bones for food. In the absence of Government assistance, says the African World, many oi the stricken farmers, with their families, are going to swell the ranks of the poor whites and become burdens on the State. Stock has been dying continuously for 12 months. Fertile stretches of Karoo land with undulating green, which were adorned 15 months ago by thousands of fat small stock, arc today barren wastes, devoid of vegetation and strewn % the bodies of stock. Water fountains have nearly all gone dry. When the drought is finally broken the losses of the .country will run into millions of small stock, and the economic, consequences can only be a little less than disastrous.