GRASS SEED FOR SETTLERS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 151, 20 March 1908, Page 7

GRASS SEED FOR SETTLERS.

COMPLAINTS OF GOVERNMENT ■ . , ■ LAXITY. . ; ■ THE PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY. (K TELEQUArH; —PHESS . ASSOCIATION.) Rctorua, March 19. Somo statements have been made recently that thero, has been laxity on the, part of the Government in supplying, grass seed to settlers, affected by'tho recent bush fires. As 'a.'result' of' inquiries it has beon' ascertained that 'theso ; statements aro incorrect. The Prime' Minister last stated'that in Wellington 124 cas&s had been dealt with, at a cost of - £5468. 11l the Auckland district there were 40 cases, which cost £1500. Tarariaki had been relieved to tho ■ extent of £1300. At Blenheim there wore 16 cases, which had cost £1400 ;■ Nelson 31, costing:£Bo.o, There was a total of 233 applications, representing a cash payment of £10,403. In tlib Hawke's Bay -district ;20 ' cases were under investigation, and in Auckland' twenty-five additional cases ' were 'dealt with yestorday. ' In Southland only one application had been received. Sir Joseph Ward stated that the Lands Department had been carrying out tho. work for tho. Government,' and tho Minister fpr Lands' bad been complimented' all round upon tho expedition and promptness that had' been shown in relieving tho settlers. As will bo seen from the figures given, tho Wellington provincial district fared tho 'Worst in tho outbreaks,- but every application has beon promptly dealt with, and an examining officer sent at once to roport. The' Government has been anxious to do all that it can to help in this matter, and to sec that oyery opportunity is given to those who have suffered to have a fresh crop of grass as early as possible. -