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The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Darfield, 10th May, 1900. Having given consent to relief being sent to Ottawa, I will not withold it in case of India. At same time I must protest against individual members being asked to sanction such expenditure when Parliament is not sitting. My reply delayed owing to absence on Peninsula. E. Heaton Rhodes.

The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Christchurch, sth May, 1900. Be Indian famine : I will support contribution from Consolidated Fund. At the same time, as the State contribution in this and the Canadian cases may become precedents, and thus tend to weaken public charity in future similar cases, I am of opinion that the State contribution to Indian Famine Fund should be supplemental to private donations, these being subsidised at pound for pound, or at such higher rate as the Cabinet may consider desirable. G. W. Russell.

The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Hastings, 7th May, 1900. I think the colony may be liberal in donation to the Indian Famine Fund; the distress is so widespread, and the population always on the margin of starvation. I suggest assistance be sent in wheat, unless it can be bought cheaper in India. W. R. Russell.

The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. New Plymouth, 7th May, 1900. In reply to your memorandum re relief to famine-stricken Indians, I have already answered in the affirmative when replying to your memorandum re Ottawa case. 'To prevent any misunderstanding, I hope that New Zealand will grant from the consolidated funds substantial relief. lam proud to be a New Zealand representative after the handsome manner the Government, Parliament, and people of New Zealand have responded to Queen's Jubilee, Transvaal contingent, Ottawa relief, &c, now Indian famine. B. M. Smith.

The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. 10th May, 1900. In reply to your memorandum respecting the request of the Viceroy of India to this colony for practical sympathy towards alleviation of the people of India, who are suffering from famine, I desire to say, in the first place, that I quite concur in the proposal to contribute a sum of money from the consolidated revenue of this colony for the immediate alleviation of the most necessitous cases. I desire, however, to say that from my personal knowledge of the circumstances, which have hitherto and must in the future largely tend to cause famine in India, it is to be greatly deplored that the Government of that country does not take the necessary steps for the purpose of greatly minimising the possibility in the future of the recurrence of this terrible disaster, by passing such laws as will give the people a more equal distribution of the. vast stores of wealth possessed by an infinitesimal portion of the two hundred and ninety millions of people who inhabit British India. It is very deplorable to know that millions are starving in the midst of those who are living in the lap of profuse luxury. The matter is one which should, I believe, be brought prominently under the notice of the Imperial Legislature by all colonies and countries who have contributed to the Famine Fund. John Stevens.

The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Ashburton, sth May, 1900. Be your memorandum Indian famine: Consider colony should contribute to relieve. As the Government has decided to send five thousand pounds to Canada, think should give not less sum to India. I would personally support vote of ten thousand. Wμ. J. Steward.

The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Toko, 10th May, 1900. The people of New Zealand are responding handsomely to the appeals of the Viceroy of India for practical sympathy. Far more urgent Government sending aid from the consolidated funds to famine-stricken people of India than Ottawa conflagration. I consider that both can safely be left to private benevolence. Walteb Symes.

Memo, for the Premier. Wellington, 25th September, 1900. Deab Sib, —No such telegram as the one indicated in the attached papers ever reached me, to the best of my knowledge. I answered a telegram re a grant to the sufferers by the Ottawa fire, deprecating the grant, and pointing out that the Indian famine, which was a far graver disaster, was not even suggested as an object of attention. I should have supported the proposal to grant money for the latter purpose. Yours truly, W. W. Tanneb.

The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Whangarei, sth May, 1900. Owing to the heavy demand made upon the people of this colony in connection with the war in South Africa, I fear there is little hope of much assistance by public subscription, either for the famine in India or the sufferers by the disastrous fire in Ottawa. Under the above circumstances, I think the Government would be justified in assisting from the consolidated funds. R. Thompson.

The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Wellington, 7th May, 1900. Agbee with suggestion re allocating a sum from Consolidated Fund for relief of those suffering in India. Charity begins at home, but it should not end there. Thomas M. Wilpobd.