209 



control as will prevent the best interests of mighty 

 provinces being ruined and the people from being- 

 cruelly oppressed. Centralization may certainly be 

 an unmitigated evil; but centralization, if it insures 

 g'ood or better Government, can only be an unmixed 

 good. 



If we examine this case carefully, it is not diffi- 

 cult to see that the evils commented on, originated 

 in a complete misunderstanding of the situation ; 

 and the application of a policy not only unsuited to 

 the country, but wholly inapplicable to the circum- 

 stances of the case. And if proof be wanting that 

 such is the truth, clearer could not well be obtained 

 than from the fact that after two years of inaction, 

 the report of the Committee appointed to investigate 

 the matter, did nothing more than expose to the full 

 glare of light the frightful nature and extent of the 

 sores that had been allowed to fester under the very 

 nose of the Government,* and reiterate and confirm 

 the statement of the planters, made three years 

 before, that any system of immigration " to be suc- 

 cessful would require to be conducted under the 

 auspices of Government/' 



The question was treated by the Government of 

 Bengal, from the outset, as one of labour and capital, \ ^ 

 instead of one of Colonization, into which the rela- 

 tion of these elements, from the Government point of 



*' The depot of Thakoor Lalla, alluded to in the administration 

 Report of Bengal, is situated within a few hundred yards of the 

 Council Chamber. 



