New Britain herald., 1930-05-19
Claims Per Capita Cost of Government Is Highest in the World.
BY WEBB MILLER

prohibition in India is one of the foremost Of Mahatma Gandhis de- mands upon the government, and opposition to the sale of liquor fig ures largely in the present campaign
 The depth Of feeling aroused against th6 governments pamicipa- ton in the liquor traffic was shown by the rioting at Mcmcnsyngh, in eastern Bengal, Wednesday. in W which more than 20 persons were injured when Il crowd attacked d cart sur rounded by armed guards. which was delivering Iiquor from the gov ernment depot 10 liquor shops.
 The government derives consider able revenue from the taxation of native liquor made from the COCOA nut. which resembles fiery cognac.
 Since the beginning of Gandhrs campaign against liquor, d number CT outbreaks have occurred as d re- suit Of attacks on liquor stores and volunteers picketing the shops, at tempting 10 prevent entry.
 Total prohibition was placed first on the list of Gandhts II demands upon the viccroy. Lord Irwin, before the march 10 the sea N hen he prom Is@d 10 drop civil disobcdicnce if his demands we're met.
 Wants Military Cut
 Gandhi's "uitimatum" 10 tho vic eroy gives the nationalsts' platform IS it existed q few weeks ago as. total prohibitions; reduction of taxes: reduction Of land taxation by af least ltalf, making it subject of legisla tive control; abolution of the salt tax; reduction Of military eXpendi- ture al least five per cent as q start: reduction Of salaries Of the higher offices by half; a protective tariff against foreign trade, the sdischarge Of political prisoners except those condemned for murder or attcnpt- Ing murder, or convicted by trial by ordinary judicial tribunals; aboIi- lion of the cid, or is popular con troI: and the issuance ol licenses to use firearms for self deEenso subject to popular control
 The most frequent SWarai list com plaint is that the cost Of the gov ernmcnt per head of actual taxpal- CTS is thc highest in the world in q nation which is one Of the poor est per capita, that military cHpon- allure is out Of proportion to the requirements and taxes India to her capacity, and that the higher govern ment officials arc paid very large salaries
 The announcement from Allaha- bad Of the decisions or the work ing committee Of the all-mdia con- gJoss committee, the principal gov erning body of the SwaraIists. cf| noH plans for intcnslhcation of the civil disonediencc campaign indicate determination to adopt more eN- trcMe measures.
 lrge> Non Payment
 The decision 10 commence urging ron-paymcnt of land taxes in cer- tain districts is tho moat serious phase, because the land tax is the basic tax supporting the government in India. Widespread non payment would be most diIicuIt 10 deal with. i
 A further GislocatIon Of business life was forcseen from the decision to boycott British banking, insur- 1 a@co, shipping and other institu- tons, Ii should also bo observed that the committee emphasized the necessity Of more intensive pr0pa- 1 ganda for prohibition, abstinence | and picketing Of liquor shops.
 l visited the hradQuartcrs Of the i Bombay provincial congress com  cf the organizations which are aC- l rvely directing the present uphea>aI | in India. There Was considerable excitement because the committee 1 had deliberately do0od the ban on i the publication of the congress bul- i letln. They were expecting a raid i momoutarIly The bulletin had been ! unusually provocative ill tone, and ] had said il would continue 10 be is- | sued. if necessary from Inc houses . O. the cItizcns Of Bombay,
 The government Was charged in | the bulletin with fomentng com- ! Hunal troubles in India.
 During our conversation. DI 1 Jamshcd ChOksy. vice president and 1 present leader of the local forces. Was Interrupted continually writing 1 orders for tho activities of Y0lun- tocrs in connection with d demor- srration concerning Palestine and in 1 connection with the raid of the salt pans at Wadaia.
 The headquarters Of the congress committee is in q tWo-storE building in the native quarter oG the city. Tho courtyard was nllcd with claat- 1orng volunteers. dressed in rough homespun and Gandhi caps. l vas Immediately surrounded by a shout ing. eXcltable crowd. rather hostile in thci rattitude until my business haA been explained. Dr. Choksy said they maintain 2jh Nolnntces permanently at tho headquarters They are given lodging and board, but are not paid. he said
 While We talked, the 4o-called council of war was meeting in an adjoining room They were actively arranging for the WadaIa salt works raid. Dr. Choksy said he would lead it.
 I)r, ChoEsy said the seven district headquarters in Bombay each main tain a standing contingent of Yolun- trors ready for any eventuality, He estimated the number of leaders ar rested in all India since the arrest Of Gandhi totalled about 500 with about 1,l00 volunteers jailed in the same period.