80 HAPPY INDIA 



The British members of Parliament travelling in 

 India must not go to teach or to order ; they must 

 simply go to see and to ask questions. The right 

 to ask questions is a great right, and the power that 

 is exerted by asking questions is enormous. Though 

 the traveller knows little, the man whom he asks 

 for information knows a great deal, and when these 

 travellers come with authority to ask questions, 

 and when the man who knows is given a legal right 

 and duty to answer those questions, then he can 

 freely speak what he thinks without fear of rebuke 

 from the central authority. He may speak wisely 

 or foolishly as the case may be, but light would be 

 thrown upon the subjects under discussion and the 

 people would benefit, because these British travellers 

 would have no axe to grind, would seek no appoint- 

 ment, no contract, no reward. They could not 

 take contracts or rewards or appointments without 

 losing their position as members of Parliament, 

 which has cost them a great deal of time, money 

 and energy. 



