INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

AND PRESS CRITICISM. 161
England's duty is to make and uphold a model
govemment in India, but only to such an extent
as the resources of the latter country
will allow, unless these resources are supplemented
by England, which case we are not
contemplating. My argument may perhaps be
illustrated by considering the subject of railway
accidents at home. Railway accidents can be
entirely prevented (1) by abolishing railways,
or (2) by imposing such working conditions as
practically to render all railways bankrupt
stock Now, is the public prepared to adopt
either of these alternatives? Similarly with
Indian famines. It is only another phase of
the old question, Is the majority to suffer to
prevent loss to the minority?
I view the existing relation between England
and India in the light of a trusteeship. I cannot
think that a guardian would be held worthy
of his trust who insisted that his youthful charge
should adopt on his estate every theoretical
means ever advocated by amateur or expert for
the prevention of, say, the potato disease, and
threatening condign punishment should the
result prove that one tuber was lost! In the