The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-27 00:00:00

INDIA.

The following is from the Bengal liurkaru, of
the 22d ult

" The agrarian disturbances have not subsided.
The notification of the Lieutenant-Governor, in-
forming the ryots that Government had no inten-
tion of discouraging the sowing of indigo, and cau-
tioning those who had received advances to fulfil
their engagements to the planters, has not had the
slightest effect upon them. On the contrary, they
seem to regard it with the utmost indifference, and
to act in defiance of it. This is by no means extra-
ordinary, considering the encouragement they have
received from the police, and the agitation against
indigo raised by a few imprudent missionaries: The
agrarian movement has some of the characteristics
of the recent rebellion. Like the mutiny, there
are emissaries at work who are secretly employ-
ing their influence in instigating the whole of
the ryots to oppose the planters, and as the rebels
had the Nana for their chief, so in the same man-
ner th© ryots have a leader of their own. He
styles himself Mohamoheemo Neelbungsho dunk-
shokaree Sreejookto Baboo Neelmar Ramrutton
Mullick, Sudder Kutcherry, Joyrampore, the tran-
lation of which is the Uprooter of the Indigo Race,
Baboo Indigo-destroyer Ramrutton 'Mullick. The
Baboo declares that what the Nana was in the north-
west he will be in Bengal. He receives deputations
of the ryots from other parts, affords them advice how
to act, and collects money for the purposes of agita-
tion. Letters from the planters state that matters
are getting worse every day ; that the ryots are
intimidating the well-disposed men to join them,
and that a collision between them and the ryots seems
unavoidable. The ryots of the Carragoda Factory
have told the manager, and even ;the magistrate,
that they have received advances, and are nut un-
willing to perform their engagements, but that
they dare not do so on account of the threats
of the Joyrampore ryots. If the Lieutenant Go-
vernor's notification had been issued a month

earlier, it would probably have had the desired effect.
As it is, something more than a notification is re.
quired to put down the present agitation. Were a
force sent to the spot to carry out the orders of
the Lieutenant Governor, the best results would
follow, and we should hear no more of these dis-
turbances. But this should not be long delayed,
otherwise much bloodshed will be the result, and
greater losses sustained before the ryots could be
reduced to obedience. The planters will not quietly
submit to be defrauded of their advances, without
compelling the men who have received them to
perform their engagements. The first shower of rain
will bring matters to a crisis, and if Government in
the meantime do not do something effectually, they
will have themselves to blame for the consequences
that are likely to follow. They have by their own
folly produced an agitation which may become more
formidable than they think possible, if not sup-
pressed immediately. What is absolutely required
is a law enforcing the performance by a ryot of his
contract with the planter.
" The Lieutenant-Governor has issued the fol-
lowing notification
41" NOTIFICATION.

" It appears from the reports of local officers, as well as
from complaints which have been preferred to the Lieut.-
Governor by indigo planters, that a misapprehension pre-
vails in the minds of the ryots of some districts as to the
views of Government in regard to the cultivation of indigo,
and that in some places it has been falsely represented
by designing persons that the Government is desirous
to discourage the cultivation of indigo, and even that
the police will protect ryots in the evasion of contracts
entered into by them with indigo planters. It is
surprising that such foolish reports should have '
obtained credence. Nevertheless, it is proper that
they should be authoritatively contradicted. Wherefore,
it is hereby declared that, although it is always optional
with ryots to take ad vances and to enter into contracts for
indigo, or not to do so, as they may think best for their
own interests, and in this matter they require no assistance
beyond that of the law, which is equally fair to all parties ;
still if they do enter into such contracts lawfully, and of
their own will, they must expect to be required to fulfil
them. If they dishonestly refuse to act up to their engage-
ments, they will be liable to the lawful consequences of
such misconduct.
"j' A. IL YOUNG, Secretary to the Government
of Bongal.' "
We have now received responses from all India
to Mr. Wilson's plans, and the general result ap-
pears to be this :—The European community, official
and non-official, are unanimous in favour of the in-
come-tax. The native community, though dreading
its operation, are either not sufficiently in earnest
even to summon meetings to protest, or regard the
measure as one predetermined, to which they must
perforce submit. Large classes, however, have not
yet heard of the proposal. On the Currency Bill
opinion is more divided. The non-official commu-
nity upholds the plan, but many of the officials
believe that the natives will misunderstand the
phrases about legal tender, and complain that Go-
vernment is abstracting silver from the country.
The native opinion of the North is not known, but
the Bengalees, accustomed to hank-notes, are de-
cidedly favourable. On the tobacco tax again all
classes are unanimous. The rate originally sug-
gested, 6d. a pound, is regarded as monstrous, the
selling price of country bacon being lld. a pound.
Mr. Wilson therefore has ' explained' that his ac-
count of this tax was misunderstood. He intended
to impose only 3a. a seer, or 2id. a pound, and
this only' on unmanufactured tobacco. As the
native manufacture involves the adulteration of
the leaf to the extent of 50 per cent., the cost
to the consumer will be only doubled. This tax
will be borne, though murmuringly ; and, as the
produce must be equal to the value of the
whole tobacco crop of India, the gain to the re-
venue should be very great. The mode of col-
lection is not decided, but it is probable that
tobacco will be included among the articles subject
to the Abkarec laws. Under them the leaf can bo
sold only to licensed manufacturers, or to Govern-
ment. The manufacturers will pay a fixed sum per
diem for permission to sell, their prices being again
checked by the Government warehouses. The
scheme is a poor one, the Abkarree administration
being notoriously inefficient, but it is recommended
by the fact that the machinery of collection is al-
ready in active operation.
" The Income-tax and Currency Bills will be intro-
duced on the 24th inst. The details are not all
known, but it is ascertained that the tax will be
collected through lelisilciars, one for each circle,
and that one great exemption has been in-
troduced into the Act. The lower schedule struck
the European soldiery, and the tax was canvassed
in barracks in a very unamiable spirit. Government
does not want another discussion with its soldiery,
and all non-commissioned officers and soldiers are
formally exempted. The concession was unavoid-
able, though it will not please the natives. The
Currency Bill is based, I understand, on the prin-
ciple of leaving details to the Chief Commissioner
of Issue, who will be at first Mr. Richard Tem-
ple, lately Secretary to the Government of the
Punjab—an excellent selection. I may remark,
en passant, that Sir C, Wood and his Lieu-
tenant seem to be engaged in a game of cross
purposes. Just after the loan had been closed we
had a telegram announcing that in the Secretary's
opinion it must be kept open till May. Then,
just as the Income-tax is agreed to, Sir C. Wood
announces its impossibility ; and lastly, while Mr.
Wilson bases his new currency on the whole coin-
age, Sir C. Wood talks of a limit of five millions.
Fifty would be nearer the mark if the notes float.
"'The absurd panic among the shareholders in the
Bank of Bengal has disappeared, and shares have
risen nearly to their usual level, 50 per cent. pre-
miums The last quotation at which bona fide sales
have been effected is 5,800 r. per share.
We observed a notification published in the Co-
vernment,Gazette under date the 20th March, stating
for the information of holders of Indian. Government
promissory notes, who are desirous that the interest
thereon should be made payable by bills issued in
London in conformity with the provisions of the
notification No. 61, issued fromthe Financial Depart-
ment on the 12th November, 1858, that after the
20th inst. the enfacement mentioned in paragraph 2
of the said notification will be changed, and that the
following enfacement will be made in its stead. In-
terest subject to deduction of Indian income tax pay-
able in London by draft on Calcutta (or Madras as
the case may be). The interest payable on Indian
Government promissory notes already issued with
coupons will be chargeable with duty under the
proposed income tax.
Government on the 9th inst. issued a notification
to the effect that, from the Ist of May, 1860, the
weight of Indian newspapers sent by post would
be increased from four to six tolas, and that the
postage on them must be prepaid. Several of the
newspapers complained of the clause as to the pre-
payment of postage as bearing hard upon the press,
and were of opinion that a longer notice should be
given. The notification has been since modified,
and we find from what appears in yesterday's
Gazette that " so much of the notification as relates
to prepayment of the postage on newspapers, pam-
phlets,l and other printed
until the Ist of January, 1861. The equalisation
papers shall not tal? pic le
of weight with that of imported p,apers comes into
operation on the Ist of May next.

COMMERCIAL.
BENGAL, MARCH 22.
-• •

Exportz—Ws have little change to notice in our produce
market.
The Moncy Market has been somewhat easier, accommo-
dations being available in the Bazaar on lower terms than
before. The Bank of Bengal rates continue AS WO, as last

quoted. Their cash balance is gradually decreasing. Thez
liabilities in Bank notes ar d post bills have also decreased.
about 40 lacs.
Exchange on London—A rather moderate business has
been done for this mail in first class paper at 2s lid to 2s lid,
documents at 2s lid, and local banks at 2s lid.