RAILAGE OF FARM-FEED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 352, 12 May 1928, Page 5

RAILAGE OF FARM-FEED

STATE AID FOR FARMERS AFTERMATH OF DRY SPELL Press Association. WELLINGTON. Frida v The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon O. J. Hawken, announced to-day details of the Government’s proposal* for assisting, by way of free railage for hay. a number of farmers in portions of the Auckland Province where dry conditions have brought about a really serious shortage of winter feed for dairy cattle. The Minister stated the facility of free railage will be available to approved applicants during this winter and next spring, and will cease not later than October 31. Funds at the disposal of the Government for carrying out this decision, stated the Minister, are limited, and the concession will therefore be subject to conditions calculated to ensure that those farmers in the area concerned who are most in need of assistance will receive the benefit. The principal conditions proposed are that free railage of hay will not be granted t*> any person financially able to bear the cost of railage, nor for distances longer than are considered necessary. The applicant will be required to make a d» claration certifying the number of head of dairy stock kept on his farm and undertaking that the whole of the hay will be used for the purpose of feeding that stock: that sufficient hay i not otherwise available for the purpose, and that he is not at the time of making application in a position to bear the cost of railage on the fodder. Application for the concession will require to be made to the inspector of stock. Department of Agriculture, for the district in which is situated the farm on which the hay is to be used Applications will be considered in order of their receipt, and the applicant will be informed of the result as quickly as possible. The necessary instructions are being issued immediately to the officers who are to deal with the work, but a few days will elapse before they will be in a position to receive applications.