INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

A FEW GENERAL CRITICISA/S. 115
presented, and the columns of an Indian newspaper
thus become a repository for ideas on
any subject of interest, the thorough discussion
of which is insured. The press becomes consequently
the natural outlet for all the pent-up
literary talent of both the official and nonofficial
classes: it will give publicity to the
ideas alike of the oldest judge and of the
youngest magistrate; of planters, of merchants,
of railway officials, &c. All freely employ its
columns for ventilating their opinions on subjects
of local and general interest. We have
therefore here a medium in which it is quite
certain that famines, among other subjects, will
be discussed as fully as possible, not to say ad
nauseam, by men thoroughly acquainted with
not only the general principles, but with the
details of the subject.
Then there is also the native press. In it we
see, or should see, ourselves depicted from a
very different point of view. It is valuable
in some respects; but it has not the influence
which would be attached to it were the mass of
the people educated j at present, the bulk of
the population are uneducated, and care little
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