DAIRY LOSSES

Southland Times, Issue 22728, 2 November 1935, Page 6

DAIRY LOSSES

DEPARTMENT CRITICIZED FARMERS’ UNION TAKES ACTION EXPEDIENCY URGED Strong criticism of the manner in which applicants for assistance under the recently-formed Government scheme for rehabilitating dairy farmers who have experienced heavy mortality in their herds during the early stages of the present season -was expressed at the monthly meeting yesterdaj' of the Southland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. It was alleged that the Government intended to give no assistance unless it was definitely cornered, and that men who had made application and supplied the numerous and unvalued particulars required weeks ago had not yet received advice from Wellington whether or not they were to be helped. It was decided to telegraph to Wellington asking what was being done and urging all possible expediency. The result of the public meeting and the resolutions carried had been published in detail, said the secretary (Mr A. L. Adamson). The department then took action pretty well along the lines suggested. “But,” he said, “I am unable to tell you with what effect.” Mr T. McCann said that he knew of one man who applied for assistance, but who had not yet had a reply. “From what I can gather the department explored every avenue to avoid giving assistance,” he said. “It seems that it does not want to keep anyone unless it can’t avoid it. If it does not hurry up, the season will be over and assistance will be of no use.” He was supported by Mr B. Clearwater. “The department refused the application for free railage on fodder,” he said, “but apart, from that, the assistance that is being given is farcical. An applicant has to answer all sorts of questions, and then his case is ‘referred to Wellington for consideration on its merits.’ ” He knew of one case in which the applicant had been asked to sign a declaration that he could not get assistance elsewhere; in other words to admit that his credit had been stopped. He was asked also if he would give an order on his milk cheque, if he would give security over the remainder of his stock, or if he would give security over his equity in his property. Mr Clearwater moved that the meeting express its disappointment with the manner in which the assistance, if any, was being distributed. “Yes” or “No.” This was recommended by Mr McCann, who added that the department should be asked for a definite answer to whether or not it was giving any assistance. “We all know that the Government is very slow in working,” he said, “but we should know exactly where applicants stand in a matter of urgency such as this.” Mr A. H. McLean: It has been made quite clear that if a man could possibly get assistance elsewhere he would not get it from the Government. Even then he could not get anything without security. It was suggested that a direct question should be wired to Wellington immediately, but it was decided that first inquiry should be made at the local department office for an interim report on how many applications had been received and how they had been or were being dealt with. When the meeting resumed after lunch, Mr Adamson reported that, he had got into touch with the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture, but had obtained only the information that Mr K. Menzies, of the accountancy branch of the department in Wellington, had visited Southland, received applications, and had taken them to Wellington; but no report was vet to hand regarding the number of applications or how they were being dealt with. Mi’ Macdonald said he thought that Mr Clearwater’s motion should go forward. “We must have a ‘yes’ or ‘no’,” he said. _ The motion was carried, the only dissentient being Mr W. H. Ward, who said he thought that the executive should await further information from the department in Wellington.