SEED WHEAT FOR AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11548, 2 April 1903, Page 5

SEED WHEAT FOR AUSTRALIA

CONTRIBUTIONS ASKED BY MALLEE FARMJ-RS. {PRESS association telegram.) WELLINGTON, April 1. The Premier has received from the Secretary of tha Mallee Farmers' Relief Committee, Swan Hill, a letter, in which it is stated that owing to drought the farmers in Shire Castle, and Donnington have been unable to harvest a single grain of crop. The fund organised in Melbourne has enabled the Committee to support over 200 families, but although tire Government is advancing £100,000 for the purchase of seed wheat and fodder, it will not nearly suffice for the 34,000 square miles thai have to ba sown. The Committee accordingly solicits a contribution of seed wheat from New Zealand, and expresses its willingntis to pay freight and Customs c.iarges on any that may lie sent. Tlie Premier replied yes-c-rday:—"l may ray that there is a misapprehension. The New Zealand Government never offered to subscribe seed wheat to individual parties or committees. New Zealand did, however, make an offer to the respective State Government-! of Australia to interest itself in obtaining contributions of seed wheat and fodder. The replies generally were that the nece-slty for such help did not exist, the drought being broken up, etc., and there the matter ended- I havo given publicity to the application made, and should tlie local authorities or private parties take the matter up, I shall bo glad to help in either carrying the grain free of cost on our railways, or in any other way wliieh seems meet."