INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

A FEW GENERAL CRITICISJ{S. 123
and can afford to import whatever there is in
the world which is necessary to us. We do
not reflect upon this fact, but trust to a sort
of instinct which tells us that our wants will
ultimately be supplied.
Again, we have a merchant-ship service at
our command which no other nation can equal;
and the reason of this is, that we are able
to give this service constant employment. In
ordinary years part of this fleet trades between
Englaud and India; but witness the effects
which a state of famine develops. Were the
cry for food to proceed from England, this service
would be all activity. every vessel available
would be off in search of grain; but in this
very instance of the present Bengal famine •.
what happens? Trade between England and
India stagnates; there IS a rumour that grain
exports from the latter country are to be stopped.
return freights are therefore problematical, and
immediately no ship can be chartered for Indian
service, except at preposterous rates.
Beyond these, Britain has natural physical
advantages for coping with famine. The fleet
of vessels at her command has a highway all