INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

206 PREVENTIVE AND
habitants of Rajputana in 1868-70, given at
page 71, is also illustrative of this system of
voluntary exile.
At page 183 I have spoken of " transporting"
a considerable proportion of the population in
times of scarcity and famine. No doubt in such
a wholesale emigration there would be all sorts
of rumours ab~oad as to our intentions, and
prejudice would defeat our efforts to a great
extent; but gradually these would be overcome.
It should, of course, be made as public as possible,
that we were merely organising on a vast
scale a system of emigration - something to
supplement their own voluntary efforts in this
direction. And it should also be advertised that
our means for assisting them to return, when
happier times were again vouchsafed, would be
as complete as our aid to their exodus.
I shall have occasion hereafter to notice the
influence which extended irrigation schemes
may exert; but it is right that I should point out
the fact that canals, or such other projects as
may be termed" vast," are. not the only means
of providing against drought. Weare at present
discussing the means which may be said to be