June i, 1898.1 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 823 
THE IMPERIAL DUTY ON TEA. 
Our evening contemporary, a few days ago, made 
tlie reduction or ratlier abolition of the imperial duty 
on tea, the subject of a deliverance. Now although 
there is a home party in favour of “ a free breakfast 
table,’" among practical financiers, total abolition 
of the tea duty is considered a very impolitic 
step, to be resisted to the last, and for this 
reason. When any trouble arises leading to finan- 
cial pressure, such as a war threatened or it may 
be realized — and no one can feel safe against a 
great European War in these days— there is no 
levy more easily collected, or more certain in 
its results, and no war tax more universally 
applicable, than the Customs levy on tea. To 
destroy the machinery for such a collection there- 
fore, say finance authorities, would be very unwise 
and should be resisted by any Government in 
power. If such be the common otlicial senti- 
ments of a few years ago, we may be sure 
they will not be mitigated at this time in 
the face of all the warlike disturbances 
facing the British Cabinet. Of course, there is 
no chance now of the subject being dealt with 
in the present Budget, although we should hope 
a good deal of support might be given to a 
motion in the House of Commons for the 
reduction (not abolition) of the tea-duty, in place 
of touching the levy on tobacco. It is a great 
pity, certainly, that a movement was not com- 
m meed in India and Ceylon six or more months 
a»o for a substantial reduction in the imperial 
tea duty. That duty realized for 1897 on 
231,395,778 1b. of tea at 4d per lb., the sum of 
£3,856,662. For 1898 we may count on the 
four millions sterling or a million for every 
penny of duty. Now a reduction of the duty 
to three pence would be a substantial gain, and 
ot course to two-pence still greater ; but below 
2d per lb. we do not believe the levy will be 
allowed to go. The resulting collection of two 
million pounds sterling is substantial in itself ; 
but still more important is it as the nucleus 
of what may be, with the consent of the Com- 
mons, increased on any emergency into a uni- 
versal and most easily collected war-tax. Now 
on the present occasion, for the coming year, 
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach had an estimated surplus 
of £1,786,0J0 to dispose of, but, along with an 
amelioration of the income-tax, he has given it 
mainly to the reduction of the duty on tobacco. 
Had British tea-growers made themselves heard 
in good time, in conjunction with a sympathetic 
party athome, itis quite possible that a2d reduction 
in the tea duty might have got the first place. 
But the lesson certainly is, not to fail in agita- 
tion for this boon, or even the half of it, against 
the Budget of next year. 
WANTED FOR INDIA DEPARTMENTS 
OF AGRICULTURE, MANUFAC- 
TURES, AND COMMERCE. 
The venerable Dr. Murdoch is indefatigable in 
trying to serve the people of India, He has just 
issued two letters— one to Lord Geo. Hamilton, 
Secretary of State for India, and the other to Mr. 
Samuel Smith, M.P,,— in the form of pamphlets. 
The object is explained in the appended sum- 
mary embodied in a letter addressed to News- 
paper Editors : — 
Sir, — I beg to invite your attention to a Letter r.d- 
dressed to Mr. Samuel Smith, M.P., a Sequel Ijp 91 
lOl 
Letter to Lord George Hamilton, Secretary of State 
for India. 
The Letter to Mr. Samuel Smith originated as fol- 
lows ; — 
It was the general expectation, entertained by both 
political parties, that the British Government, follow- 
ing the precedent in the last Afgan wai', would make a 
grant towards the recent heavy military expenditure 
on the frontier. 
This was abandoned on account of the strong opposi- 
tion of Sir James Westland, the Indian Fina' ce 
Minister, who considered such a grant both unneces- 
sary and impolitic. 
During the Budget Debate the Hon. E. A. Nicholson, 
showed that Agriculture had been “ starved,” by the 
Indian Government ; while proposals for its improve- 
ment and for the institution of Agricultural Banks 
were consigned by the Finance Minister to the limbo of 
“extremely desirable” but unattainable proposals, 
"Viewed on the light thrown, during the Budget 
Debate, upon the present very unsatisfactory state 
of things, it is suggested that the question of a Home 
Grant should be reconsidered. 
The Letter to Mr. Samuel Smith advocates ajgrant 
on the grounds of Policy, Justice, and Humanity. 
It points out that two millions sterling might be 
most usefully spent on the following objects : — 
1. Organizing a separate Department of Agri- 
culture. 
2 . Organizing a separate Department of Manu- 
factures and Commerce. 
3. Organizing a system of advances to free ryots 
from the oppression of Money-lenders, 
4. Organizing an Agency for the relief of Con- 
gested Districts. 
The grant, it is true would provide only for the 
initiation of the proposed measures : it is shown 
how they might afterwards be supported by a redistri- 
bution of expenditure. 
In the event of the Government of India declining 
to reconsider its decision, the Parliamentary Indian 
Committee are urged to bring ihe question before the 
British Public and move in the House of Commons for 
a grant. It is hoped, however, that this will be un- 
necessary. 
The unanimous opinion of the Press would do much 
to secure the object in view. Your kind support is 
earnestly solicited. Yours faithfully, John Murdoch. 
Dr. Murdoch is nothing if not practical : here 
is how he linally works out his scheme provided 
a home grant of two millions sterling for India 
is made ; — 
The Agricultural Department might be main- 
tained by a third of the Famine Fund. It is bet- 
ter to prevent pauperism than merely to feed 
paupers. 
The Department op Manufactures might receive 
a share of the allotment now devoted to “ gridiren- 
ing ” the country with railways. 
The Advance Department should be self-supporting, 
but might be aided at first from the FamineFund. 
Mass Education on a large scale can be secured 
only by a reduction in the military expenditure. There 
are so many vested interests concerned, that this will 
be the hardest task before the Committee. But it 
should never be forgotten. The frienL of India 
should never rest till its people are educated. It is 
true that this can only be gradually accomplished, but 
the rate of progress will depend upon its being con- 
stantly kept in view. 
It i.s touciiing to note the final paragrajili in 
the letter addressed to Mr. Smith : — 
Closing Words. — With me the sands of life have 
almost run; with in a few months, if life be granted, I 
shall enter upon my eightieth year. It is my en- 
couragement that India never had more or warmer 
friends than at present. Amid the din of party politic®, 
her iirerests are not forgotten by you and others like- 
minded. Your efforts in the cause of Temperance are 
also highly appreciated. May you be wisely guided, 
and may an increasing blessing attend your effort^ 
to benefit pne-fifth of the human raoe ! 
