SIR R. TEMPLE ON THE INDIAN FAMINE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5763, 6 January 1897, Page 2

SIR R. TEMPLE ON THE INDIAN FAMINE.

A representatative of the Central IS v ■, J recently had an interview with Sir Eichar • j 1 Temple in reference ,to the prospect of ! famine in India. It was during his term of office as Governor of Bengal that tho famine of 1874 occurred, and again when '. Governor of Bombay he had to cope ; with the distress consequent upon the ' last great famine, of 1877. "If," said Sir Richard, " I am right •in supposing that ;. rainfall in' Severn- :

ber is now hopeless for India, the famine next spring is inevitable. As regards the extent, it will bo probably much greater if less intense than in 1874, but greater in extent with about equal intensity as compared with 1877. As to the relief measures of the Government, my hope is that they will consist largely of earthworks for all the various railray schemes which have been projected. The means of transporting supplies by railways I believe to be sufficient now, so far as the big centres are concerned, and the cost of transport to the small villages would not be very (great. The financial effect of two years' drought would, of course, be very serious as implying a great loss of revenue, but if the drought only lasts one year, and if the relief measures be adequate, then the loss of revenue should not be great, and, further, the current finances should not be seriously affected. The Indian cash balances are large, and could be drained for the famine. After that the money would bo borrowed ; and, supposing that even -.5,000,000 were borrowed at' three per cent, it would only represent a permanent burden of _eis,ooo' a- year. It is safe to hope that the supply of wheat would bo sufficient for this year, even if tho vast stores held in the United States were exhausted. " With regard to the suggestion of a voluntary fund for the relief of the people of India,, and the proposed Russian fund, Sir Richard Temple said : "Of course it is very kind,, good and charitable of the people ii_« England to raise private funds for the relief of the famine in India, but the crisis' is o£ such magnitude that no voluntary or private effort can meet it in the least degree. But the money raised will have an excellent moral effect on the natives of India,. as evincing European sympathy. Thisremark is even more applicable to Russia. The Indian officials would think it very invidious to question the purity of motiveas regards public charity in regard to any nation with whom we are at peace; andwould accept the charitable efforts pf the Russians upon the fullest assumption that the charity was meant in the best sense of the term. Disorders, of course, are bound to occur, but these outbreaks are invariably against the grain dealers and not risingsagainst the Government."