We always dread a vote by the House of Commons
upon an Indian question, believing that the House, in its pro- found ignorance, will some day pass a " philanthropic " resolution, perhaps against polygamy, perhaps against caste, perhaps against early marriage, which will cause a popular insurrection. The vote, however, which Mr. S. Smith carried on Tuesday by 113 to 103, censuring the liquor policy of the Indian Government, will probably do little harm. No experienced Indian asserts that the " Abkaree" laws are perfect, or denies that the habit of drinking tends, under the influence of the decay of the native creeds, to spread among the people. Further restriction would be beneficial, and the Indian Government would do well to take the House of Commons at its word, make illicit distillation a grave offence, quadruple the duties on spirits, and sell by auction the monopoly of sale in each pergiumab It is alleged that any such scheme, which should be supple-
mented by a heavy tax on betel, would be defeated by illicit distillation, the toddy-palm being spread all over India; but we doubt that view. Salt is spread all over Bengal, but nobody, in view of the salt laws, manufactures salt. In a country where 80 per cent. of the people would hang liquor- makers, and only a minute proportion can, by caste laws, engage in the traffic, and revenue officers are ubiquitous, it is not so easy to sell illicit spirit. Everybody will inform for a shilling, and, owing to the religious laws, incur no popular odium in informing. It is, in fact, an act of merit.
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