§ MR. S. SMITH (Flintshire)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he is aware that there is a movement among the population of the Tannah and Colaba Collectorates of the Bombay Presidency in favour of total abstinence from strong drink; and that, for this end, the Natives propose to make abstinence a rule of their caste; and, if he is further aware that the Government, in order to stop this movement, have put eight of the leaders in prison, and have issued a proclamation that if anybody—
By threats of violence, or otherwise, endeavour to hinder others from purchasing or drinking liquors he will render himself liable to criminal prosecution;and, whether a notice has been distributed in the Colaba Collectorate which states that—People have full liberty to drink spirits or not as they choose, and that whoever hinders them will he prosecuted criminally, and will be awarded the highest punishment laid down in the law?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)According to the official information received by the Secretary of State, the movement referred to was not one in favour of total abstinence, but a strike against the severe restrictions enforced on the tapping and sale of toddy, and the high price of liquor. The Secretary of State has not yet received any official information respecting the eight men alleged to have been imprisoned in December last, or the proclamation referred to; but I may observe that, even in the United King- 1231 dom, persons who "by threats of violence endeavoured to hinder others from purchasing or drinking liquors," would "render themselves liable to criminal prosecution." A notice was issued by the Collector of Colaba in October last, which is probably that referred to in the Question. It did not commend itself to the Government of Bombay, and was, by their orders, withdrawn. The Secretary of State will make further inquiry into the matter.