BENGAL FAMINE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 October 1943, Page 5

BENGAL FAMINE

MR. AMERY’S_ DEFENCE. RUGBY, October 15. “In the 10 years 1931-41 the Population of India increased by 50,000,000 and every month there were scujt 400,000 more mouths to be led, the Secretary for India (Mr. Amery) said, when discussing the Bengal famine at Birmingham, to-night. “The vast majority of this new population had to find a living off land which barely sustained the smallei population in the past.” Air. Amery pointed out that tac British development had led to tins <?Teatly increased population, but also led to greallv increased production ol food.' The difficulty had been contributed to by the needs of the armed forces and accentuated by the loss of imports due to war conditions, also the bad' harvest and disastrous Hoods. The key to the solution ot the whole problem lay m better distribution. The worst dangers had now been mastered. The important thing was not to try to apportion the blame, but. to see what could be done without delay to put things right. The British Government had a iesponsibility to do everything- in its power to help India. Whatever might be her constitutional position m relation to Britain, Britain had kept her responsibilities in mind. At the time of difficulty she had freed substantial quantities of shipping tor gram import into India, and every effort was being made to make more shipping available. Quite considerable quantities of grain were arriving.and would continue to arrive till towards the end of the year, when the situation would be further reviewed.

MR. AMERY CRITICISED. CALCUTTA, October 14 “If Mr. Amery (Secretary tor India) did a good job occasionally instead of making inane speeches he would really prove himself useful. This comment on Mr. Amery s statement in the House of Commons on the Bengal food situation is made by the Moslem daily. “Morning News. It suggests that Mr. Amery should arrange the loan of Italian merchant shipping which would come under Allied control. Other newspapers are also sever elv critical of Ml*, Amery s statement. The British-owned “Statesman" says thoughtful observers find‘ themselves sadly out of tune, both factually and emotionally, .with Mr. Amery’s speech, except with his cn . ticism of. mistakes of ‘ gal Ministries. the Hindu stall Standard” says: “The Bengal deathroll is mounting, and Mr. Amery s invisible help is matched only by/he invisible stocks of. rice in Bengal.