§ MR. BRADLAUGHI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State is aware that grave disaffection exists in Jessore, Bengal, in consequence of the action of Mr. Luson, a member of the Civil Service, towards certain ryots in indigo cultivation tracts; whether certain Hindu Magistrates have been removed from the sub-divisions of Jhinedah and Majurah, Jessore District, to other sub-divisions at the instance of the indigo planters of the district; whether Mr. Luson was appointed to take charge of these sub-divisions; whether such an arrangement is in accordance with the practice in Indian administration; whether he is aware that Mr. Luson was formerly in charge 1516 of the neighbouring sub-division of Meturpore, and, while so in charge, ordered 50 villagers to be whipped for fishing, which conduct was characterised by Sir Comer Peterham, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Calcutta, as violent and illegal; whether the ryots of the sub-divisions of Jhinedah and Majurah have addressed a Petition to Mr. Luson alleging various illegalities and oppressive conduct in his magisterial capacity; whether Mr. Luson, for alleged misdemeanours in reference to indigo cultivation, summarily tried, is now sending cultivators to gaol in batches, and imposing heavy fines; and whether, if these circumstances have not been brought to his notice, the Secretary of State will, without delay, inquire into the facts?
SIR J. GORSTThe Secretary of State has no ground for supposing that grave disaffection exists in the Jessore district, but he is aware that certain native newspapers have made statements similar to those indicated in the question. The Secretary of State has no official information on the points raised except as to the conviction of villagers by Mr. Luson for illegal fishing. The conviction was quashed, but the Secretary of State is not aware that the Chief Justice stated Mr. Luson's conduct to be violent and illegal. The Secretary of State has no reason to interfere with the vigilance which the Local Government always exercises in matters between indigo planters and ryots.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware from the newspaper reports that such facts are alleged, and if they are not sufficiently grave to require an answer?
SIR J. GORSTThe Secretary of State is not in the habit of addressing inquiries to the Local Governments of India in regard to statements in the local newspapers. If the hon. Member will make a proper complaint no doubt it will be made the subject of a Report to the Secretary of State.