HIGHER SEWAGE TREATMENT SUBSIDIES FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

(From New Zealand Press Association)

(EMBARGOED UNTIL 1015)

Wellington, July 25 NZPA - Some small rural communities will get up to 90 percent of costs to upgrade sewage treatment and disposal systems, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today.

Miss Clark said more than 80 communities with populations of about 30,000 would benefit from increased subsidies with the most deprived able to get the highest subsidy.

``The government will pay a greater share of this vital work because we are strongly committed to improving public health services and environmental standards,'' Miss Clark said.

The Sanitary Works Subsidy …