Change In Railage Cost Of Hay To Farmers

Chronicle (Levin), 12 June 1948, Page 7

Change In Railage Cost Of Hay To Farmers

w Press Association )

(Per

WELLINGTON, June 11. A. change in the basis of Governuieni assistance with railage costs on hay in farmers in drought aud flood areas is announced by the Minister of i\.griculture (Ilon. E. L. Cullen). Instead of claiming for railage costs in excess of those for 100 niilds as was previously arranged, farmers affected will now be fefunded all railage charges on hay iu excess of £1 ton. The alteration in the basis of assistance has been made be-e-uisc of the shortage of bailing wire. As a result of this only 100 bales of hay will in, many cases go to a trucK instead of the normal 140 bales. The Minister also announced an extension of areas wliich will benefit. IIc* said the assistance was oviginally an Inounced as being- available on consignments railed to farmers at stations on Iiues between Waiouru and Linton, between Palmerston North and Feather ston, and between Marton aud Patea, and also to farmers in the Gisborne anu Wairoa districts wliose properties were damaged by fioods. The areas have now been !extended,-to include stations between Linton aiid Te Horo and between Woodville and \Vaipukuaru. The Minister said most of'the hay woukl be drawn from Auckland and Bay of Plenty areas and for supply purposes co-operation ot representatives off-federa'ted farmers in those areas had been promised. Officers of the Department would be available to decide questions of hay (juality.