THE INDIAN FAMINE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11210, 6 March 1897, Page 3

THE INDIAN FAMINE.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —I apprehend that it would he opportune at this juncture to discuss the causes which lead to that terrible phenomena signified by the word ’•“famine.” 1 have before me several extracts from people who have known what practical life in India is, and in order not to occupy too much space, I will quote right here ;—“ The millions of India have bowed their necks beneath the yokes of many conquerors, but worst of all is the steady, grinding weight of English

domination —a weight which is literally crushing millions out of existence. * * * A most expensive military and civil establishment is kept up, managed and officered by Englishmen, who regard India but as a place of temporary exile; and an enormous sum, estimated as at least .£20,000,000 annually (raised from a population where labourers are in many places glad ip good times to work for lid to 4d per day) is drained away to .England in the shape of remittances, pensions. Home charges of the Government, &c., a tribute for which there is no return.” * * * Mr H. M. Hyndinan says : “ The famines which have been de vastatin g India are in the main financial famines. Men and women cannot get food because they cannot save the money to buy it. Tet wo are driven, so we say, to tax these people more.” And, horror of horrors! as in Ireland in tho days of her famine, so in India —food in enormous quantities is exported from famine-stricken districts in payment of taxes! Further on, this writer says, “ We, a business people, are forcing- the cultivators to borrow at 12, 24, 60 per cent to build and pay the interest on vast public works which have never paid nearly 5 per cent.” And so we sum up that “ the real cause of want in India has been, and yet is, the rapacity of man, not the niggardliness of Nature.”—l am, &c.„ * EBENEZEE EAELT. <