The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-03-17 00:00:00

DEBATE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS.

Mr. Slagg moved a resolution to the effect that the
unwise frontier policy of the Government of India is
producing grave financial difficulties in that country,
leading not only to increased burdens of taxation, but
to the extension of the sale of intoxicating liquors for
revenue purposes, with serious results of the moral and
material welfare of the people. During the last three
years, he stated, the permanent debt of India had been
increased by £14,000,000, the annual charge for interest
by £600,000, and the present frontier policy, if con-
tinued, would increase taxation to a point beyond the
power of the people to bear. He also condemned the
annexation of Upper Burmah, which had proved a far
more costly operation than had been anticipated, and
was not likely to yield an adequate return to the Indian
revenue.

The motion having been seconded by Mr. Caine, who
deplored the growth of the liquor traffic in India, and
suggested the application of the principle of local
option,
Lord R. Churchill declared that he looked upon both
the defence of the frontier and the annexation of Upper
Burmah—the cost of which, he said, had been grossly
exaggerated by Mr. Slagg—with the utmost gratifica-
tion, as reflecting credit upon the Administration which
sanctioned them and the House of Commons which
ratified them. They were policies which would add,
the one to the security and the bther to the prosperity
of the Indian Empire, and they were both rendered
inevitable by the circumstances of the day. He
regarded the financial situation in India as most
grave, and thought that the remedy was to be found
in economy and retrenchment. There was, lie
pointed out, the closest connection between Indian
expenditure and our European foreign policy; and if
we intended to pursue a policy in Europe which en-
tailed financial burdens on India it would be necessary
to consider carefully whether this country ought not to
give direct financial assistance to India. That ques-
tion would have to be considered at some future time,
but at the present moment he urged that the Indian
Government must be taught economy, and made to
adopt the policy of retrenchment, because if it did
not, seeing that it had now come to the end of its taxa-
tion resources, it would shortly be in a financial posi-
tion not far removed from actual insolvency.
Sir G. Campbell feared that the Government were
under influences which would induce them to go
beyond the moderate frontier policy favoured by the
noble lord, and drive them in the direction of Candahar.
Sir J. E. Gorst declared that it was a calumny to
charge the Government of India with stimulating the
drink traffic for purposes of revenue, their policy
being to place as high a tax upon spirits, which were
distilled, as could be placed upon them without giving
rise to smuggling or illicit distillation. He described
the defensive works which were being carried out on
the Afghan frontier with the object of guarding against
an invasion of British India, and stated that the
Government were on terms of peace and friendship
with the +ribes on the frontier, and under the Treaty of
Gandamak had obtained control of the passes. while
thinking that Lord Randolph Churchill's speech would
have a salutary effect on the Government of India, he
considered that in some respects, which he indicated,
the noble lord had taken too gloomy a view of the
financial situation.
After some remarks by Mr. S. Smith, Sir R. Temple
contended that the frontier defences and the annexa-
tion of Upper Burma were alike necessary and justifi-
able. The people of India were better to do than most
of the European nations • and looking to the vast expen-
diture which they had defrayed during the last 15 years
for purposes which in other countries were never debited
to revenue, and to the fact that the limit of taxation
had not yet been reached, he held that the prospect for
the future was very hopeful.
Sir U. Kay-Suttleworth asked for assurances
that it was not intended to go beyond our own frontier,
as it was of the highest military importance that bur
present friendly relations with Afghanistan should be
maintained unimpaired.
The discussion was continued by Mr. J. M. Maclean,
iir E. Hamley, and Mr. Bryce; and Sir James
Fergusson, in replying, stated that the frontier railways
were well within our frontier, and that there was no
intention to go beyond it, nor was there the slightest
idea, in strengthening the frontier, of expressing dis-
trust in the good faith or honesty of intention of any
any other country.
Mr. Childers, as a member of the Government which
was responsible for the frontier policy adepted by the
Indian Government, declined to support the motion.
At the instance of Mr. Caine, the closure was applied,
and, on a division, the motion was negatived by 122
to 72.