DROUGHT CONDITIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 60, 8 April 1946, Page 6

DROUGHT CONDITIONS

EFFECT ON FARM TRAINING

The necessity for tbe continued t.ohvug of ex-servicemen farm trainees employed by farmers who were badly affected by recent drought conditions was considered at the March meeting of the Rehabilitation Board. Information before the Board stated that in some instances farmers' herds were dry and no income would be available until next season. It was submitted that trainees should be kept on the farms, and where necessary concessions should be made in the way of an increase in the subsidised wage.

It was finally decided that in necessitous cases, where farmers had suffered by abnormally dry conditions, the District Rehabilitation Officer may on the recommendation of the rehabilitation farming sub-com-mittee authorise an increase in the subsidy payable to the farmer up to £2 10s a week, provided he was satisfied that there was sufficient useful work on the farm for the trainee. The Minister of Rehabilitation, the Hon. C. F. Skinner, remarked that on most farms there should be plenty of deferred maintenance work.

In'special cases , where a subsidy above £2 10s a week is recommenced, full details are to be forwarded for consideration by the Board. The increased subsidy will not be paid after August 31 of this year.