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TL— 30a

and her dependencies morally guilty of murder if they allow women and children of a conquered race to perish by starvation. I feel assured the colony will heartily support Government in sending handsome contribution. • A. W. Hogg.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Carterton, 7th May, 1900. In accordance with previously expressed opinion, I am heartily in favour of sending a sum of money to help feed starving people in India. In all national crises it is my opinion the colony should vote money from Consolidated Fund, and not leave it to individual efforts, as when the latter is the case the selfish escape entirely. J. T. M. Hobnsby.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Mangonui, sth May, 1900. I undeestood your last appeal was on behalf of sufferers through fire in Canada, to which I willingly assented. This appeal on behalf of Indian famine should, I think, stand over till Parliament meets. lam agreeable to whatever you think best, however. Eobbbt M. Houston.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Wellington, 7th May, 1900. Be aid to India. Judging by your recently reported utterances, the Government has collected a large sum of money from the taxpayers of the colony. The Consolidated Fund should therefore be able to stand the strain. By the Viceroy's appeal, and the sickening frequency of the famine's recurrence, the Indian Government cannot feed its starving millions. Humanity alone, and not indorsement of present-day Imperialistic ideals, impels me, without at present inquiring too closely into the causes, to reply, " Let us help the starving." John Hutcheson.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Waiuku, Bth May, 1900. Whakahoki ito waea mate tono a nga tangata o inia mote tahi moni hei awhina i to ratou mate a mo runga i tana tono ka waiho eau mau c whakaaro. H. Kaihau.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Translation.) Eeplying to your wire about the Indian famine, and about some money to aid them in their calamity, I leave the matter to your discretion. H. Kaihau.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Ohaupo, 7th May, 1900. Be aid to famine-stricken people in India : I can only send a similar reply to that which I did to former wire re contribution to Canada, only I think the famine the most needful of assistance. If Government are in a position to send assistance, shall not oppose it as far as my vote is concerned. J. W. Lang.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Lyttelton, 7th May, 1900. Eeplying to your telegram of Saturday, I will heartily support your proposal to send relief from us as a people to the famine-stricken people of India, in any amount up to ten thousand pounds, and the sooner sent the better. Geo. Laueenson.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Auckland, 7th May, 1900. I think, if finances stand strain, a substantial sum should be sent in response to appeal from Viceroy, India. F. Lawey.

Sib,— Christchurch, 7th May, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your two telegrams relative to fire in Canada and the famine in India. On neither question have I any opinion to offer. During the recess private members either possess or do not possess rights and responsibilities in connection with the expenditure of public moneys. Custom in the past has supported the latter, while your telegrams uphold the former assumption. At the proper time and in the proper place I shall be prepared to discuss the question raised by this divergence, and, if necessary, to assist in formulating a scheme embodying the circumstances and conditions under which private members may be called upon to sanction expenditure during the recess. Upon the merits of any such scheme I offer no opinion. But I hold that it is not for any Ministry to decide whether and when such sanction shall be sought. If I possess the right to be consulted, its exercise must be regulated by something more definite than the caprice of a Minister. Under these circumstances, I trust that my refusal to answer your questions will not be attributed to a lack of courtesy or to the want of interest in the questions themselves. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Chaeles Lewis.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Mangere, Bth May, 1900. I will offer no objection to a reasonable sum being taken from the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of the Indian famine, though, with our rapidly increasing public debt and our many wants, I should have preferred that assistance should have been given without interfering with the public purse. W. F. Massey.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Auckland, 11th May, 1900. Be Indian famine : I would suggest that if Government decide on sending assistance that it should take the form of breadstuff's, the export of which would relieve the market here, while they would probably be more useful than their equivalent in cash to the famine-stricken people. W. F. Massey.