RELIEF OF INDEBTED AGRICULTURISTS. 177 



Such a result, while falling not short, in favour of either debtor 

 or creditor, of what is fairly commensurate with the nature of the 

 case, the analogy of law in other countries, the rules of pecuniary 

 need and supply, and the strictest equity, goes no farther in reform 

 than the political necessity of a prompt and effective remedy for the 

 social disorders of the Deccan appears imperatively to demand. 



If I am asked what I think will probably be the effects of the 

 measure, and how far I expect it to be successful, I must reply that, 

 although I cannot undertake to answer for all the detailed provisions 

 of a Bill which is the outcome of revision at more hands and autho- 

 rities than one, I think that it cannot but be most beneficial, and that 

 it will to a great extent meet the needs of the Deccan, provided 

 it be supplemented by executive action in the directions already indi- 

 cated. Of course, no one expects from it the abolition of indebted- 

 ness for all time. The ryots are 'depressed and crushed by a variety 

 of concurrent causes/ With only one class of these, though, perhaps 

 the largest, does the Bill profess to deal, but in a way which may 

 reasonably be rewarded with success. At least, it gives effective help 

 to every ryot who is disposed to help himself. The reorganization 

 of the Courts is favourable to all parties. The relations of debtor and 

 creditor are adjusted on fundamental principles, equitable as between 

 the two, and essential to the cohesion of society. A man should pay 

 what he really owes, and no more ; but his creditor should not be 

 allowed to use the State for the purpose of beggaring and enslaving 

 him. On the other hand, we cannot justly and reasonably legislate 

 for the summary relief of the debtor from unjust and extortionate 

 claims, unless we also give to the creditor full and effective aid in 

 obtaining all that is fairly due to him, and reasonably recoverable. 

 A creditor's difficulties when he has got his decree should be reduced 

 to a minimum. If we make the decree a just one, it should be effect- 

 ively enforceable. Without ample provision on this principle, the 

 destruction of the ryot's credit or his bondage to secret and extor- 

 tionate agreements must ensue, and all our well-intentioned interfer- 

 ence will do harm instead of good. With such provision, the measure 

 will not injure the ryot's legitimate credit, but improve it. Against 

 all prognostications to the contrary, I set tin actual facts observable 

 in native states. The ryots there get all the credit that is good 

 for them. I have no faith in the virtues of unlimited 'tick'. Borrow- 

 ing and lending with a view to securing permanent enslavement will 



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