1839] 



Permanent Annual Moiwj Rents. 



67 



he attained by a fioced money rent on each field, at the 'present rates^ 

 for every considerable fall in price, an event of frequent occarrence, 

 must disturb the calculations of the ryot, and destroy all certainty of 

 profit from such outlays under that system. But, if he has to take into 

 his consideration, only the fluctuations of produce, he can estimate his 

 prospect of success with more accuracy, and he is secured against one 

 source of failure. This, it is obvious, must lead to a more frequent, and 

 successful investment of capital in improvements, so important both to 

 the individual and general welfare. 



These two points — a fixed maximum assessment of grain or produce 

 on each field, and a fair commutation price varying periodically with 

 the market, being established, I would further engage on the part 

 of Government, that in years of drought, when the produce might fall 

 short 20 or 25 per cent., or upwards of the average, taken as the basis 

 of the assessment, that the deficiency beyond that, should be borne in 

 part if not wholly by Government. For instance, if the ordinary average 

 produce of the cawney be rated at 100 measures, and the rent be fixed 

 accordingly, and the actual crop in any year, shall be reported by the 

 collector to have fallen to 75 measures, or less, a general, and well de- 

 fined remission of tax, according to the extent of the decrease in pro- 

 duce, should be authorized. 



And further, in years of excessive drought and total failure, when 

 the land has made no return, not even the seed, that there should be a 

 postponement of demand, or an entire relinquishment of the Govern- 

 ment dues on such land. This I am satisfied will prove the only wise 

 course at such periods. For it is certain, that the suffering inhabitants 

 will find sufficient employment for any surplus funds which they may 

 possess, in meeting the high prices of famine. And it will be the better 

 policy, as well as amoral duty to leave to them the full extent of their 

 resources, to bear up against the visitation, and to provide some small 

 surplus, to commence anew, when the pressure shall be past. 



As a compensation to Government, and to enable its treasury to meet 

 the defalcations of calamitous seasons, I would adopt the rule, that in 

 all years of high price, combined with an average produce, or one above 

 it, when the profits of the cultivator must be certain and large, that after 

 a limit say 10 or 15 per cent, advance in price, the Government should 

 participate, and receive a proportionate increase of revenue, an addition 

 of 5, 10 or more per cent., according to the extent of the rise in price. 

 This would of course prevent, as all taxation on the land must, the 

 rapid augmentation of the national wealth. It must make its progress 

 more slow^ ; but it would not be found greatly to retard improvement. 



