Stricken by Drought

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1044, 7 August 1930, Page 9

Stricken by Drought

FIRES SWEEP WHEAT AREAS Desolation in U.S.A.

PRAYER FOR RAIN FOR HUMAN NEEDS

IVEbOLATION equalling that which follows floods and ” earthquakes is being experienced in some parts of the United States of America, where the drought has stricken wide areas and drastically damaged wheat crops, and where huge fires are raging. Nation-wide prayer for rain—for both human and stock needs—is urged *by those in the affected States, and the Government is desperately organising to give adequate relief.

United r.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 10.25 a.m., WASHINGTON, Wed The concentrated effort of the Gov ernment agencies is bent today toward ascertaining accurately the needs of the drought-stricken country Desolation, equalling the destruction of floods, tornadoes and earthquakes is described to President Hoover in a telegram for aid from Governor Sampson, of Kentucky. Other pleas asked for the proclama tion of a nation-wide prayer meetine for rain and food for human beings as well as cattle. It has not been decided what action shall be taken, but apparently tne Government is much worried over tne situation, reports of which become more depressing hourly. WEATHER “POCKET’' The w*eather forecasts continue to be most gloomy. The latest says: Apparently we are caught in a “pocket.” Low water supplies are widely reported and the danger of fire is increasing. Pennsylvania today appeared to be “burning up” and fires are raging in other States. The heat continues to be very grqat and the death roll is increasing. The Secretary of Agriculture, Mr.

K. Arthur Hyde, in an address to the Mid-West Retail Merchants’ Association at Kansas City expressed tne belief that the disposal of the large wheat carry-over might be speeded ip by the drought’s damage to corn. He said recent estimates placed the corn loss at 200.000,000 bushels and indicated that his department believe-l that the loss might approach 500,000,000 bushels. That would off set the over supply of wheat and achieve ft rough balance. The depart ment was laying stress on the value of wheat as feed for livestock. MARKET FLUCTUATIONS A Winnipeg dispatch says torrid weather over the wheat lands caused net gains of 5 1-8 cents to, 5 2-8 cents a bushel in the market today. October quotations closed at 1 dollar 2 5-8 cents, December 1 dollar 4i cents, May 1 dollar 10£ cents. At Chicago \Vheat soared 5 cents to G 1-8 cents today. Corn G 7-8 cents to 7 7-8 cents. September delivery corn widened the lead over wheat to 4X cents. September closed at 96 5-8 cents and December 1 dollar 22 cents. Trading nearly reached the not stage at the mid-session, as buyers found offerings scant.