SUFFERERS BY HAIL STORMS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1929, Page 5

SUFFERERS BY HAIL STORMS

STATE LOANS IN NECESSITOUS CASES.

WELLINGTON, April 8. The decision of tlie Government to authorise advances up to a total of £SOOO to producers in the Hawke’s Bay and Oamaru districts, who suffered damage from hail storms some weeks ago, was announced to-day by Sir Joseph Ward, who said he wished to make it quite clear that loans, and not grants were authorised.

The money would be available only in cases of unusual hardship, where it was absolutely necessary that assistance should be given. Sir Joseph Ward pointed out that the Government could not make general provision for the destruction oif crops, etc., by hail storms and other acts of God. Therefore inquiry would be made into the case or each applicant tor relief, and where assistance was deemed to be a matter of necessity advances would be made at a reasonable rate otf interest.

One’s sympathy naturally went out to people who suffered as the result of such unexpected happenings, he said, but the issue would be a very big one

the Government commenced making eneral provision for the destruction of roperty. Steps should he taken beorehand by those likely to be affected iy an unforeseen occurrence to protect themselves in the event df such mis- | f ortim es.