GOVERNMENT AID TO SETTLERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 903, 24 February 1908, Page 5

GOVERNMENT AID TO SETTLERS.

PRONOUNCEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

SEED SUPPLIED ON EASY TERMS. FREE RAILWAY CARRIAGE,

The Prime Minister (Sir J. Ward) has made the following important statement for general publication:— "In connection with the disaster by fire 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 settlers or those who occupy their own freehold or leasehold lands. As promptitude is absolutely necessary to enable those who have suffered to sow other grass-seed it will be supplied to all settlers affected on application being made by them. The grass-seed will be supplied at cost price and free of interest for a period up to four years. This will enable all necessitous cases to be dealt with upon very easy terms. In cases where it can be shown that settlers are absolutely ruined or are unable to pay, the Government will consider each case upon its merits as to whether the grass seed should be supplied free. I am quite certain that the majority of our settlers would prefer to have the opportunity of recovering their positions in this way, and, as I say, all cases of exceptional hardship where the settlers themselves are burned out of houses and homes and ruined, their cases will be considered upon their merits. In addition instructions have been given to the Railway Department to carry all material whether for building purposes or for fencing to those who have lost their homes, outhouses or fences, free of charge. Further, wherever Crown land? are available, and are not under lease to tenants, those suffering will be sllowed to turn their stock upon such lands free of charge. In the case of those who are not settlers, such as those working upon roads who rhay haye lost their homes, their huts, tools or belongings, the Government will convey all material and tools free to them by rail, and in absolutely necessitous cases will consider their position 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 the kind do arise. Arrangements for 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. wbile~ 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 the Government to supply the grass-seed to the farmers at cost price for a period of years free of interest. If the Government were to come into the market by becoming the immediate purchasers of large quantities of grassseed it is not unnatural to suppose that the pricewould go up beyond what might fairly be regarded as a reasonable one. I feel sure holders of grassseed will not regard this suggestion other than one made in the lest 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 they will accept the advice in the spirit in which it is tendered to them."