In one grand case the Viceroy showed his dislike to
" prema- ture " action—that is, to spend money—in the strongest way. It is given at page 34, and as Dinajpore is one of the districts in which, as we believe, the danger was from the first very great, as we see that Sir R. Temple has been compelled to send thither 46,000 tons of grain, and as from the peculiar conditions of the country it may yet be in a far worse condition than Ilrhoot, we quote the statement entire :—" Lastly, the Viceroy alluded to a letter from Mr. Robinson, the Relief Commissioner [that is, highest official] in Rajahahye, to the effect that he had been over a part of Dinajpore, and had reported there were small supplies and no trade, and that unless Government came forward and seld grain to the people, there would be in that part of the country a dearth of food. Some doubts were expressed as to the correctness of Mr. Robinson's statements, and it was determined that, though he might be instructed to store up 2,000 tons, the effects of any idea, if it got abroad, that Government were making large importations for the purpose of feeding the people would be so injurious, that the sale of Government grain coukl only be continued until private trade was found sufficient to meet the wants of the people." If half the women and children of Dinajpore perish, the fault will not be with Mr. Robinson.
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