FAMINE IN RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 155, 29 December 1911, Page 7

FAMINE IN RUSSIA.

RELIEF MEASURES OF THE GOVERNMENT. St. Petersburg, December 10. At yesterday evening's fitting of the Duma, M. Kokovtzoli', tiie Premier, replied to various interpellations regarding the failure of the crops in a long speech, in which he first of all showed that the territory affected by the failure of the crops extended to twenty Governments, of which twelve were suffering throughout and the rest partially.

Of the twelve and a-half million inhabitants of the affected territory, eight million were in need of relief. The relief measures would require 120,000,000 roubles, of which 32,000,000 roubles would be covered locally, while the State would have to come forward with the remaining 88,000,000 roubles. One-half of the necessary supplies had been despatched without delay to the /inhabitants of the stricken districts. The relief funds would be devoted to the purchase of com and cattle fodder, as well as to the undertaking of public works, the erection of soup kitchens, food stations, and the provision of medical relief. The Prime Minister had ascertained from the reports of the Governors and Zcmstvos that, while actual famine had nowhere appeared to any considerable extent, still the sanitary condition of the people gave rise to anxiety, and the Government was helping the affected districts with all the means in its power. It had accordingly ordered lower rates to be charged for the movement of the wor' people and the transport of cattle from the bad harvest districts to others where there had been no failure, and for the convevanee of oil cakes and fodder, barley, hay and straw, etc. Greater credit facilities and the suspension of direct taxes, etc., also formed part of the Government's relief programme. The Premier's statement was received with applause by the whole House.