HC Deb 20 March 1884 vol 286 cc288-9
MR. O'DONNELL

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, If his attention has been called to the Address of the people of Bellary, containing a population of a million and a half, petitioning the Viceroy for an alleviation of the Salt Tax, and declaring that— That the prohibition of the manufacture of earth salt, without a corresponding reduction in the price of sea salt, inflicts an unmitigated hardship upon the poor ryots, who have now almost to do without this important and necessary article of food, to the detriment of their health and the usefulness of their cattle, and that— The recent rules under the Salt Law afford scope to unscrupulous men to harass the people; whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Address of the people of North Arcot, containing a population of nearly two millions, declare that— The Salt Tax is so heavy and prohibitive that people cannot obtain salt for their own requirements, and that their cattle are ravaged with various diseases owing to the want of this indispensable article of life; whether the Indian Government keep the Home Government regularly informed upon the expression of native grievances with respect to the Salt Tax; and, if he can state the number of Petitions against the Salt Tax which were presented to British Authorities in India during the past year?

MR. J. K. CROSS

Sir, I have read the address of the people of Bellary petitioning for an alleviation of the Salt Tax, as reported in The Madres Weekly Mail, but I have not soon that of the people of North Arcot on the same subject. the Government of India do not send home Returns of all Petitions giving expression to Native grievances with respect to the Salt Tax, nor can I state the number of such Petitions presented to the British authorities during the past year.

MR. O'DONNELL

But are there any means by which the Natives can make their grievances known?

MR. J. K. CROSS

said, they always had the opportunity of petitioning the Secretary of State.