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Sib,— Wellington Club, N.Z., sth May, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegraphic memorandum of this date. The reason I alleged for supporting your proposal to give practical proof of the sympathy of the people of the colony for the sufferers by the recent conflagration at Ottawa apply with equal force in regard to the terrible straits of the famishing millions in India. To send, as some persons suggest, a shipload of produce would for obvious reasons be of no service. Money is what is needed. Then, let money be sent at once on behalf of the colony. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. Fbaseb, M.H.E.

The Eight Hon. E. J. Seddon, Wellington. Invercargill, 7th May, 1900. I coNsiDEB that it would be a philanthropic act on the part of the Government to grant pecuniary assistance to the famine-stricken people of India. The people of this colony sympathise with the starving millions in another part of the Empire, and will, I feel confident, approve of the action of the Government in endeavouring to alleviate the sufferings of our fellowmen. M. GILFEDDEB.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Nelson, sth May, 1900. While, as a rule, strongly opposed to expenditure from Consolidated Fund without appropriation by Parliament as unconstitutional and improper, yet, because of urgent necessity for immediate help to millions of fellow-creatures, and the unprecedentedly satisfactory and financial condition of our own colony disclosed by the Public Accounts, also in view of the many recent demands upon the patriotism and philanthrophy of the people in their private capacity, which render the circumstances extremely exceptional, I feel justified, on behalf of my constituents and the colony, in agreeing by my vote to assist in ratifying the action of the Government for making a reasonable contribution towards relieving the terrible distress in India and Ottawa caused by famine and fire. John Gbaham.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Greymouth, sth May, 1900. Be Indian famine : Your telegram only just received, as I have been absent in Hokitika all day. Must cordially support action of Cabinet in giving substantial sum out of Consolidated Fund for relief of sufferers, which is in accord with my views already expressed by telegraph to you. A. E. Guinness.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Woodville, 7th May, 1900. Sib, —Were it not a matter involving life and death to millions of human beings, I would say " No," until Parliament could debate the matter and decide in the usual constitutional way; but necessity knows no law, and that impulse which would save our fellow-beings from death by famine cannot but meet with the approval of the people of New Zealand, and I therefore say " Yes." "C. Hall.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Invercargill, 7th May, 1900. In view of the fact that the public has already taken up this matter in every part of the colony, and funds are being subscribed, I do not think it necessary to go further in the direction indicated. J. A. Hanan.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Eakaia, 7th May, 1900. Eeply to urgent memorandum, I think Indian famine more urgent than Ottawa conflagration, and hope the colony will send assistance. Eecommend Government to initiate public subscriptions to increase the fund. Many people would give in kind. C. A. C. Haedy.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Morrinsville, 10th May, 1900. Yes, by all means, the Legislature ought to give practical sympathy in the shape of a vote from the Consolidated Fund. The Imperial practical sympathy is sufficient to guide us. The sufferers are subjects of Her Majesty the Queen. Colour should not be a bar, or should not prejudice our action. The native princes of India have always shown their loyalty and great desire to uphold the Queen's name : Note their action re Transvaal war. New Zealand cannot but, under the circumstances, stand in the cause of humanity. It is her duty. Circumstances are such as to warrant your Government to act on behalf of the people of New Zealand. We can never tell when we might need aid in some form or other. Notwithstanding the favourable conditions of this colony as far as climate is concerned, there might be other forms of disaster that might fall on New Zealand. The action of New Zealand in this case, as well as in the Ottawa catastrophe, is one of the best advertisements the colony could make. Hone Heke.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Auckland, 7th May, 1900. " Indian famine: Am not in favour of grant from Consolidated Fund. Think matter better left to private subscriptions, which have been already started. Object strongly to being continually asked for opinions, without being given any information. Your wire alludes to communications received from Indian Government. We know nothing of them. W. H. Hebeies.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Masterton, 7th May, 1900. I believe the case of India far more urgent than that of Canada. New Zealand's contributions should be exemplary, and, as far as colony can afford, commensurate with the magnitude of the terrible crisis through which India is passing. Consider England wealthiest country in the world,