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The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Hawera, 7th May, 1900. Be Indian famine : I am in sympathy of giving assistance from the Consolidated Fund. Felix McGuibb.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Doyleston, 7th May, 1900. Fob the famine of 1886 New Zealand liberally responded. The present famine is quite as bad, and we are better able to contribute. Whatever you in your wisdom, with your knowledge of our financial position, think fit to give, I will loyally support you. John McLachlan.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Eangiora, 7th May, 1900. Be extending relief to Indian famine : The deplorable condition of the people of India strongly appeals to our practical sympathy. By all means send relief from Consolidated Fund. E. Meredith.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Dunedin, 7th May, 1900. My previous wire explained my views ; but seeing precedent established by Canadian grant, think Famine Fund equally deserving. J. A. Millae.

The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Blenheim, 7th May, 1900. In my opinion, the famine in India is a case where the colony ought to assist collectively through the consolidated revenue, and individually to whatever extent we can afford. I will support any resolution brought forward in the House to confirm what Cabinet in their wisdom may decide upon doing to assist in alleviating such widespread distress. C. H. Mills.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Hellensville, Bth May, 1900. Aid to the famine district of India I regard as of more importance than of any other subject that has claimed your attention. I would that Parliament had been summoned, and the grants made in constitutional form ; but I could not, in the face of the appalling sufferings endured by those starving people, find it in my heart to censure your sending up to ten thousand pounds. E. Monk.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Dunedin, 7th May, 1900. Be famine in India : I approve of voting the same amount as was passed by Cabinet for the disaster in Canada. Surely we can spare a little out of our abundance for the starving millions in India. Aethue Moebison.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Auckland, 7th May, 1900. I quite think that the dreadful visitation of famine which is now affecting our fellow-subjects in India should arouse our charitable instincts to the highest degree. As there is already a fund started here for the object, would it not be well to supplement that fund by a sum from the public Exchequer, instead of possibly closing up the springs of individual charity by sending an independent amount direct ? W. J. Napiee.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Auckland, 6th May, 1900. In regard to view New Zealand contributing to the millions of sufferers from the famine now raging in India, I desire to say that the people of that country are in no sense colonials, are not of our flesh and blood, and I consequently think that the task of relieving the sufferers from the Indian famine should rest with the Imperial Government. Our means are limited, and our generosity should be measured by our means. G. Maueice O'Eoeke, Speaker.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Auckland, sth May, 1900. Be Indian famine : I consider the Empire as one vast people now, and the misfortunes of one part of the Empire are the misfortunes of us all, and in such cases I consider it the highest statesmanship for all the other portions of the Empire to aid the affected portion. Therefore I think that New Zealand as a colony should aid India—that is a Government grant should be given from the funds of the colony. This will not deter those generous people who will also contribute privately. I think this principle is the true fundamental principle of Imperial federation. Jackson Palmes.

The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Seacliff, 7th May, 1900. I think that the suggestion is a good one, and that the aid should be sent. Tame Paeata.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Gisborne, 6th May, 1900. i think the sufferers from famine in India should be assisted from the Consolidated Fund as suggested. Wi Peee.

The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Palmerston North, sth May, 1900. Glad to find you have given my suggestion consideration, and only surprised the matter was not taken up before. Will certainly support devoting part of surplus to such a humane object, for, while we must recognise that some scheme could be and should have been devised to minimise extent of these recurring famines by British Government, the pressing necessities of the starving millions demand immediate attention. Feed. Pieani.