§ Sir JOHN JARDINEasked whether His Higness the Rana of Drangadra, m Kattywar, has, in the exercise of his powers as Chief of Drangadra, interfered with the natural course of trade and the cotton-pressing business of Wadhwan camp by making regulations substantially requiring the cotton-growing ryots to cart all their cotton to be pressed at a press belonging to the Drangadra State at which fees are levied for the State; and whether any sanction has been given by the Government of Bombay to these proceedings?
The MASTER of ELIBANKThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the fiscal arrangements of Native States are a matter of internal economy which do not require the sanction of Government, and with which it is the general policy of the Government not to interfere.
§ Sir JOHN JARDINEasked whether His Highness the Thakor Sahib, of Limbdi, in Kattywar, has lately, with the aid of outside capitalists, set up a State cotton-press at Limbdi, and has by virtue of his powers as chief of that State imposed a tax on the cotton growing ryots of Rs. 280 a bale on all cotton exported out of Limbdi State which has not passed through the State press; whether this amount is equal to 25 per cent, of the revenue assessment paid by the ryot for his land; and whether this thirlage of the cotton-growing ryots to the State press and the mulcture levied on export have ever been instituted in Limbdi State before?
The MASTER of ELIBANKThe Thakor Sahib of Limbdi has bought a cotton-press, at the suggestion of local merchants, for the benefit of the cotton industry in his State. The tax temporarily levied on exported cotton which has not been pressed at the State press is Rs. 280 per bale. The Secretary of State is not aware what proportion this tax bears to the revenue assessment, but the charge for pressing is two annas per bale less than in the neighbouring market of Wadhwan. The Secretary of State is informed that Limbdi and neighbouring States have from time immemorial levied export duties on cotton, and he understands that the Thakor Sahib of Limbdi is contemplating the discontinuance of this special duty in the near future.