Minister promises to give 'full weight' to drought aid moves

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 55, 11 July 1974, Page 3

Minister promises to give 'full weight' to drought aid moves

All relevant factors pertaining to any drought relief area are to be given their full weight, said the j Minister of Agriculture, Mr Moyle, in Parliament last week. He was replying to a I 'qudstion by j:he Member I for Taupo, Mr J. W. I Ridley, who asked the Minister to advise whether I areas outside the specified | drought relief areas already designated could still apply \ for drought relief. In par- | ticular, if adjacent areas on | the Taupo pumice plateau, j such as Waikite Valley, | could get some relief., Mr Ridley also asked if j the combined adverse i effects of both drought and i grass grub would be taken into account if relief were

granted; and if additional finance for pasture redevelopment would be readily available on generous terms. "There is provision in cases of severe hardship for suspensory loans through the Rural Banking and Finance Corporation for such work as the restoration of pastures," said Mr Moyle. For the past three or four years farmefs on the pumice plateau had suffered from the grass grub problem and drought, said Mr Ridley. "Nothing Was done by the National Government to alleviate these problems," he said. Earlier this year the Government announced a drought relief scheme.

"The Government refunds part of the cartage costs in securing feed for livestock to drought affected farmers in relief areas defined by properly constituted relief committees, but these subsidies are not available to farmers outside the specified drought areas," said Mr Moyle. "A Waikite Valley relief committee has been formed, and its requests are being considered. "Lucerne establishment grants, silos and hay barn subsidies, rural water supply schemes and even adverse event bonds are available to enable all farmers, irrespective of locality, to help themselves in maintaining production in unfavourable conditions."