A word of warning should be giVen concerning Mr. It.
J. Minney's Shiba or the Future of India (Kegan Paul, 2s. 6d.) and it is a matter of regret that an excellent series dignified by names such as Haldane, Russell, Maumis, and Jeans shOuld include such second-rate stuff as this. Mr. Minncy knows parts of India, but his conception of the whole is little short of ludicrous and is libellous to both Indians and British. He says, for instance, that the Government does. not introduce Prohibition into India although " the majority " desire it, because it will not sacrifice the revenue from the sale of drink. Was there ever such nonsense ? How could we forbid the Madrassi his toddy, or the Sikh his wine until there exists a demand among these people for Prohibition ? But, to controvert Mr. Minney's suggestions would be to give his volume an importance_ it does not deserve.
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