GREAT FLOOD DAMAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20511, 30 May 1938, Page 7

GREAT FLOOD DAMAGE

“ MAN-MADE BLUNDERB” ASSISTING RUINED FARMERS (Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Saturday The widespread damage caused by floods in the past few months was mentioned by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, when he received a deputation from the Waiapu County Council, on the East Coast, which asked for aid to deal with £22,000 worth of estimated damage. If the county had been hit, so had the Government, said the Minister. There was £BO,OOO damage in Taranaki, while the Gisborne floods would cost £IOO,OOO, Mr Semple added. The Hawke's Bay disaster would run into hundreds of thousands of pounds before they had finished. Because it was so widespread, the Government did not yet know what it was likely to cost. It was not only a question of restoring roads and bridges, but the Government wa9 committed to assist farmers who had been ruined. These things had been allowed to drift until they had reached the proportions of a major calamity. “It seems to me,” said Mr Semple, “that the saving of farm lands all over New Zealand will cost in the vicinity of from £6,000,000 to £8,000,000 to keep rivers under control. “The problem Is gigantic, and If a portion of New Zealand’s valuable farm land is not to be washed Into the Pacific, the country Is faced with a tremendous expenditure.” Mr Gilmour, the Waiapu County’s engineer, said the trouble would be continuous until afforestation was carried out in the Waiapu County. “Yes, we have done most stupid things, never giving Nature a chance to function until she has turned on us, and we are paying for our stupidity and wrestling with man-made blunders,’’ said the Minister.