THE FAMINE IN JAPAN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8122, 20 April 1906, Page 7

THE FAMINE IN JAPAN.

(Per Mail Steamer at Auckland).

TOKIO. March 25.

The misery and suffering in the iamine districts has been slightly relieved by prompt aid from'domestic and foreign sources, and the abatement of the rigors of winter. : The loual authorities are trying to provide work for the able-bodied, bat the extent uf the work is inadequate and teas cf thousands are still on the verge of starvation. Many parents are parting from their children, sending them to the already crowded Okayama Orphanage. children arrived at Uyeno railway station in this city. Among them was a girl six years old, who was found TREASURING A PACKAGE of dirty old newspapers. On examination the paokage was found to contain a postcard with the address of the parents of the cnild, who bad been told to mail the card on arrival at her destination. The severity of the suffering undergone by children is clearly depicted in the faces of those who are oompelled to part from their homes, where food oonsists of flour mixed with straw and weeds. The Government has '* REMITTED THE LAND TAX in the famine districts, but this will not afford immediate relief. Liberal contributions from American sympathisers are already effective. Another appeal for aid is presented by the sufferers from the recent earthquakes in the south of Formosa, thousands of whom are homeless. The local government is busy providing food, oaring for injured, and recovering corpses, several hundred of which are buried under the debris.