TIMELY ASSISTANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 55, 24 February 1908, Page 2

TIMELY ASSISTANCE.

GOVERNMENT AID XO UUKXX-OUT SETTLERS. OKASS-SEED To BE SUI'I'UED. EXI'EI'TIONAUA' EASY XKUMIi CKOWN GIiAZIXU LANDS 01-TEUKD I'OK UKAZINU. I'liKE JUIIAVAY (JARHIAUE. (.Memo, to -Daily News.")

J lie I'remier has made the following' importuiit statement /or general publ" cation:—"ln connection with the disaster by lire to many .settlers, which I regard as a national calamity, the Government will supply grass-seed to all those who have suffered, whether they be Crown tenants or those who occupv fheir own freehold or leasehold lands.' As promptitude is absolutely neeessarv, to enable those who have sintered to' low Hip grass seed, it will be supplied to all settlers alleeted on application being made by them. The grass seed will bo supplied at post price and free of interest tor a period up to four veal's. Jh.s will enable all necessitous eases to I'P dealt with upon very easy terms. In cases where it can b e shown that settlors are absolutely ruined or are mi"l'fc t» pii.v, the Government will «,«• siller each ease upon its merits, as to whi' her the grass-seed should be =,m. plied free. lam quite certain that the majority ol our settlers would m . cfor to have the opportunity of recover ng their positions ,„ this way, and, as I say all cases ot exceptional hardship, where these settlers themselves are burned out ot houses and homes and ruined, their cases will be considered upon their neiits. In addition, instructions have been given to the Railway Department to carry all material, whether for buildiii" purposes or for fencing, Id those whS have lost their homes, outhouses or fences, free of charge. Further, wherever Crown lands are available and arc not under lease to tenants, those Suffering will he allowed to turn their stock upon such lands free of charge. In Hie case of those who are not settlers, Such as tho.se working upon.roads, who may have lost their homes, their huts, tools or belongings, the Government will convey all material and tools free to them by railway, and in absolutely necessitous cases will consider their positions upon full details being furnished by them. Officers of the Lands Department have been instructed to supply reports of loss in each case to the Minister for Lands, as was done in the case of flood damage. This is necessary, as, of course, the Government, in the interests of the country as a whole, must protect itself from impositions that sometimes in cases of this kind do arise. Arrangements fpr'the inspection of farms will be made immediately upon application, by those affected, to the Land Board. The Government recognises that the matter is one calling for practical assistance, and desires to help in every way possible. I desire to express the hope that the holders of grass-seed, while naturally securing a fair profit, should not at this juncture, which is a calamitous one to many of their best customers, unduly raise the price of grass-seed. It is the fear of that possibility that has decided thu Govern-, ment to supply the grass-seed to the fanners at cost price for a period of years free of interest. If the Govsrnment were to come into the market by becoming the immediate purchasers o'f large quantities of grass-seed, it is not unnatural to suppose that the price would go beyond what might fairly be ; regarded as a reasonable one. 1 feel ! sure holders of grass seed will not re- ' gard this suggestion other than one made in the nicst interests of those who are unfortunately sufferers, and with a desire to seek their co-operation in helping to meet a dire calamity to those immediately affected. I sincerely trust 1 they will accept tlie advice in the spirit • in which it is tendered to them.—J. G. i Ward."