THE PUNJAB 205 



owing to good monsoons, sound finance and other 

 causes, an almost unprecedented prosperity, and 

 it may be said, I believe with accuracy, that India 

 to-day is in a sounder financial position than at any 

 other period within the memory of man. I trust 

 that this condition will be maintained, for upon it 

 will depend in a great measure the elimination of 

 those painful and alarming features which have at 

 times tended to mar the harmony and good-will 

 which are taking so firm a root on Indian soil. 



' In the Northern Provinces of India, especially 

 in the Punjab, a development has set in which 

 should make those lands almost the richest 

 granaries of Asia, and afford scope also for the rise 

 of large and important industries among the sturdy 

 and practical northern races of India. The rapid 

 absorption of gold in the Punjab is one of the most 

 interesting and remarkable economic features of 

 our age. It may be some time before this new 

 wealth percolates through and finds its proper level 

 among the people as a whole. Prices and wages 

 may be difficult to adjust all at once, and hardships 

 and trouble may occur during their adjustment. 

 But when the transition period is over there can be 

 no question that a great future awaits the Punjab. 

 Its physical resources are very great, and its virile 

 people are developing modern methods of pro- 

 duction and distribution. The natural outlet 

 of the exports of the North must be the Western 

 Coast. Bombay as the first and Karachi as the 

 second gate of India will profit largely by each 

 fresh agricultural and industrial expansion, and 

 both will receive an abundant share of the new 

 wealth that is accumulating in Northern India. 

 But more than wealth is wanted in India. What 

 is wanted in India is light, more light, always light, 

 and it is education alone which will give us that 

 light. 



