THE GRASS SEED QUESTION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 139, 6 March 1908, Page 5

THE GRASS SEED QUESTION.

/ DISSATISFACTION IN' TARANAKI. '' By TEKGiurn— special comiesfokdent. • i New Plymouth, March 4. '.Instructions have .been received here by the. Crown Lands Commissioner to the effect that no other financial assistance is to he given to farmers whose properties have been swept, by bush fires if 'their properties are able to carry an additional mortgage to the Advances td Sottlei's.Department. Mr. H. Okey, M.P., has telegraphed to 'the 'Premier' at Auckland as follows: .'(Great dissatisfaction among settlors who aro heavy losers by fires,', at instructions issued to Crown Lands. Commissioners. No worthy settler will .make , a declaration declaring himself a pauper. Others, with 'mortgages on land that the Commissioner considers can bo increased, will bo refused help 1 if tho instructions issued are to be adhered to. Government assistance <so freely, promised will 'be of very little ; assistance to tho' unfortunate, settlers in. tills ■Interviewed 'last night by a "Daily News " representative, Mr. Okey" said that, in addition to tho delayit seemed that a farmer receiving assistance must be put- to additional expense, contingent upon- the issue of a fresh mortgage, such as a new valuation ■ fee, solicitor's costs,, and so on. Valuablo time was now being wasted. , Farmers whose holdings had been swept by fire wero under the impression • that they were to reccivo assistance ill 'respect to grass seed, and were awaiting replies. ;It is now probable that further inquiries will nave to bo'' made as to the circumstances surrounding each lease, and this may shelve the matter 'for a considerable time; in fact, until it may be almost impossible to get any winter' feed ■ for stock. It is extremely unfortunate that there should bo; any delay now, for the weather; conditions could not be better for obtaining an early growth, warm, intermittent showers and misty rain .being the rule, With intervals of warm .sunshine.- ,