LECTURES 



ON THE 



ECONOMICS OF TENANCY LAW 



AND 



ESTATE MANAGEMENT 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 



Proposals for the reform of land tenures always present 

 in any country the most complex and difficult economic 

 problems ; and where, as in the United Provinces, all the 

 conditions are more complicated than in any other part of 

 the world that I have heard of, there is every reason to be 

 cautious in expressing any opinion. Throughout the past 

 five years from time to time I have been studying the rural 

 economics of these Provinces; but I have always felt diffident 

 as to expressing any final or definite opinion on the subject 

 of the reform of the tenancy laws. 



The present juncture seems, however, to be the appropriate 

 time for stating such opinions as I have reached, although I 

 cannot claim finality for them. The discontent of peasants of 

 Oudh has been brought to general notice by most regret- 

 table disturbances, and Government is proposing legislation. 

 The future prosperity of Oudh will depend greatly upon the 

 character of that legislation. I hope sincerely that it may be 

 the beginning of a bold constructive policy which will lead 

 to a progressive improvement of agriculture, and with it to a 

 rise of the standard of living of all classes of the population. 



