Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-30
BY CHARLES M. PEPPER.

~oTTON in the past has been
n factor in India's discomfort
II with British rule. It now prom
- ises to be factor Of content
The program of reforms which the
Ciceroy Of India. with the approval Of
the imperial government, has outiin-
ed does not ignore cotton. More impor-
tant is the fact that tic British par
lament has already taken action which
recognizes the rights of India to have
something to say about her own eco
nomic affairs and the use which shall
be made of her principal crops.
IT,. India cotton crop is a large one,
although the bulk of the production IS
not of high grade. It is good enough,
however, 10 be worked up in the mills
OF India as we'll as in those Of England.
Aud heretofore that has been the trou-
BILE. England preferred TO fabricate the
India cotton in her own mills men
native capitalists in India. among
them the Fsrsees who have been Inc
leaders in finance and Industry, sought
to establish domestic mills loEd obJac-
ffons came from Lancashire Neverthe-
less the plan was persisted in ana miits
were established. Lancashire. however,
was strong enough 10 defeat the pollcy
Of encouraging the domestic industry
by protective duties.
British free traders and protection
lists were OF one mind in discouragiug
midas manufacturing aspirations.
Some viceroys looking 10 domestic
conditions favored the cotton mills. out
their recommendations always were
thwarted The small measure Of eco
nomic home rule which India possessed
made Il easy to enforce the Imperial
policy on her She was not Ike tho
great self-governiug colonies OF Can
ada and Australia. which carried out
their own tariff policies regardless or
the wishes Of England.
When the India legislative councll ap-
proved small duty on imported cot
ton goods the protective purpose OF
this duty was neutralized by counter
calling duty which the imperial gov
ernment rejecting the interests OF
Lancashire. insisted should also be I'M
posed Under this restriction the INDIA
cotton factories made some progress.
bur IL was not enough to satisfy the
domestic aspiration for home INDUS
tries There was nothing. however. e&-
cept to protest against the sacrince or
the dependencys Industries to British
trade policy.
The change in this policy. temporarily
at least, has come as a consequence of
the war. India. though poor. throrg h
the legislative council. offered TO con-
tribute $500. 900. 900 toward paying the
cost of the war. provided il was per-
Initted to increase the import duty on
cotton goods from 3h per cent to III
per cent without Il counterFa Hing duty
to nuliify the effect.
The purpose was not 10 raise more
revenue through the increased duty:
IL was to encourage India mills, and
rhis only could be done BY decreasing
the imports. Possibly the increased
duty would compensate for the expect
ed decrease in the volume OF cotton
fabrics imported SO that there would
be no loss of revenue. This was the
most that could be expected.
English manufacturers already We're
suffering from Japanese competition Of
piece goods in the Indian market About
40 per cent of their total exports cf
piece goods had been sent to India. In
a recent year the value amounted TO
800 900 600 The increased duty would
operate 10 restrict Japanese exports,
A1t IL the British manufacturers were
compelled to pay the same rate there
vouId be no advantage in that TO them
Lancashire, As usual. protested. Sc