BUSH FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2123, 24 February 1908, Page 2

BUSH FIRES.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR THE SUFFERERS. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY TIIE PREALTER. AUCKLAND, Feb. 22. The Prime Alinister lias made the following important statement tor general publication: “In connection with the disaster by lire to many settlers, winch 1 regard us a national calamity, the Government will supply glass seed to all those who have suffered, whether they be Crown settlers, or those who occupy their own freehold, or leasehold lands, us promptitude is absolutely necessary to enable those who have .suffered to sow their grass seed. It will.be supplied to all .settlers affected on applied’an being made by, them. The grass seed will he _ supplied at cost price,- and free of interest for a period up to four years. This will enable all necessitous cases to ho dealt with upon very easy terms. Jn cases whore it can he shown that settlers are absolutely ruined, or are unable to pay. the Government will consider each case upon its merits, as to whether _ the • grass seed sliouTd he supplied Tree. 1 am quite certain that the majority of our -settlers would prefer to have Hie opportunity of recovering their positions in tins way, and as, I say, all cases of exceptional hardship, ’ where the settlers themselves are burned out of houses and hollies, and ruined, .their cases will he considered upon their merits. In addition, instructions have been given to the Railway Department to carry all materials, -whether .for building purposes or for fencing, to those who have lost .their homes, outhouses, or fences, free of chargo. Further, wherever Crown lands are available, and are not under lease to tenants, those suffering wilt -ho allowed to turn their stock upon such lands free of charge. In the case of those who are not settlers, such as those working upon roads, who may have lost t-lieir homes, their huts, tools, or uulongings, the Government will convey all material .and tools free to them by rail, and in absolutely necessitous cases; will consider their position upon full details being furnished by them. Officers of the Lands Department have been instructed to supply reports of loss in each case to the Alinhu-er for Lauds, as was done in the case of flood damage. This is absolutely necessary, as of course the Government, in the interests of the country as a whole, must protect itself from impositions .that sometimes in cases of the kind do occur. Arrangements’ for the inspection of farms will be made immediately upon application by those affected to the Land Board. The Government recognises .that the matter is one calling for pracical assistance, and desires to help in every way possible. I desire to express the -hope that the holders of grass seed, while naturally securing a fair profit, .should not- at this juncture, which is a calamitous one to many of itheir best customers, unduly raise the price of grass seed, and it is the fear of that possibility that has decided the Government to supply the grass seed to the farmers at cost price -for a period of years free of interest. If the Government were to come into the market -by becoming the immediate purchasers of large quantities of grass seed, it is not unnatural to suppose that the price would go beyond what might fairly be regarded as a reasonable one. I feel sure the holders of grass seed will not regard this suggestion other than one made in the best interests of those who are unfortunately sufferers, .and with a desire to seek their co-operation in helping to meet a dire calamity to those immediately affected. I sincerely trust they will accept lie advice in the spirit in which it is tendered to them.”