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follows: (1) The provision of extra comforts in the shape of food and clothing over and above what is provided by the State; (2) the maintenance of orphans; (3) the relief of persons who, though in want, are unwilling to declare themselves publicly as applicants for charitable assistance; and (4) the provision of help, mainly in the form of agricultural implements and cattle, to those who may have lost their property in the famine, and who, without such help, would be unable to make a fresh start in life. The relief of distress in the Native States will be a special feature in the administration of the Famine Fund, and it is hoped that this fact will appeal strongly to the generosity of the people of this country. In 1897 the charitable contributions to the Famine Belief Fund amounted* to £1,134,000, and the money was expended thus, — £ Object (1), extra comforts ... ... ... ... ... 70,700 (2), orphans... ... ... ... ... ... 10,300 „ (3), special classes of sufferers ... ... ... ... 178,000 „ (4), giving sufferers a fresh start ... ... ... 758,000 Beserve for orphans and miscellaneous ... ... ... 117,000 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,134,000 The Viceroy, when speaking at a public meeting in Calcutta, held on behalf of the Famine Fund, said, after he had himself visited the famine districts, " If any rich man in this city is in any doubt as to whether he should subscribe, I would gladly give him a railway-ticket to a famine district, and take what he chose to give me on his return. He might go with a hard heart, but he would come back with a broken one. Whatever you give us will make no difference in the extent and character of our outlay. That is fixed for us by the high conception that we entertain of our public duty. But, for all that, there is an ample field for private generosity, both in supplement to that which the State can do and must do, and often in pursuit of that which the State cannot do at all. It is our task to keep the people alive, and to see them safely through the period, of their sufferings. But no expert knowledge is required to recognise that there are a hundred ways in which the condition of their sufferings may be alleviated, while they still last, and a fresh start in the world be given to the sufferers when the worst is over. The legitimate objects of private charity have indeed been carefully analysed and scientifically laid down, both by Government during the last famine and by the Famine Commission afterwards. We ask your money to provide warm raiment, clothes, and blankets for the poor workers, who spend their nights out-of-doors, either in the open air or under flimsy mats of straw. In the Punjab, as you know, it is still very cold at nights. Later on, when the rains come, the same covering will be required to ward off the chills that bring fever and dysentery in their train. Think, again, of the good that may be done by the distribution of small comforts —of milk and arrowroot and cornflour, and other medicinal sustenance — to the aged and infirm, to invalids, and, above all, to children. My one happy experience in connection with the whole famine is my recollection of having saved the lives of two poor little children in Kathiawar, who were very nearly gone, but for whom I ordered milk to be supplied until they were quite recovered, as I have since heard, with satisfactory results. There is not a donor, however humble, in India or in England, of even a rupee or a shilling, to our cause who may not be honestly confident that that petty sum will bring a ray of light, a dawning of hope, into the heart of some unhappy peasant who for months will not have known what light or hope were." 2nd April, 1900.

No. 2. The Colonial Treasures to the Agent-General. Sib,— The Treasury, Wellington, 6th July, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th May last (No. 1184), advising me that you had remitted to the Governor-General of India, as a contribution by New Zealand to the Famine Belief Fund, the sum of £5,000, as requested in my telegram of the Bth idem, and enclosing copies of correspondence on the subject. I desire to thank you for your prompt action, and the course you adopted in making the payment. I have, &c, R. J. Seddon, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Colonial Treasurer.

* At an exchange of Is. 4d. per rupee.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,878 copies), £'Z os. 6d.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oo. Price 3d.]

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