A Gold Currency for India. By Lieutenant-General Sir W. R.
Mansfield, K.C.B. (John Murray.)—An essay on so obscure and diffi- cult a branch of political economy by so distinguished a soldier will naturally attract attention, and, deserves it more than many publications by writers who would be supposed to be more conversant with such subjects. Sir William thinks clearly and states his thoughts in language which enables the reader to grasp his meaning at a glance. How far his theories are sound is of course another question, but we are disposed to think that they are, generally speaking, sound. The weight of authority certainly seems in favour of the introduction of a gold currency into India. The objection that it would be a breach of
faith seems altogether unsound. Contracts to pay in silver are really contracts to pay in current coin, and provided that the gold coin is of the same intrinsic value as the silver no injustice is done. Readers in- terested in the question will find that Sir William is prepared with a definite scheme which he has worked out even in details. His essay is certainly a very valuable contribution to the literature of the subject.
Previous page
