“REMEMBER THE POOR”

To The Editor Of The Statesman SIR, – To those of us who are in touch with the poor people in the districts round Calcutta, the idea of thousands of rupees being spent on illuminations and fireworks is almost nauseating. It is known to every one that the conditions prevailing on account of the war have caused the price of cloth, etc., to become almost, if not quite, prohibitive for the poor agricultural folk, and the price of rice at the present moment is abnormally high. The money which will be spent on illuminating for a few hours one of the great offices in Calcutta would suffice to feed and clothe a village full of people. To those who might raise objections to such a thing as savouring of indiscriminate charity, there would be the alternative proposal of giving the money towards medical or educational work. Only today there was brought me from a village of which I am priest-in-charge an estimate for repairing the schools which are in a dilapidated condition. I would say in the words of the greatest of all missionaries, “Remember the poor.”

MISSION PRIEST.

QUEEN MARY’S SILVER WEDDING GIFT

To The Editor Of The Statesman SIR, – His Excellency Lord Ronaldshay appeals to the Women of Bengal for contributions to Her Majesty’s Silver Wedding Gift. Her Majesty has graciously consented to receive such a gift from the Women of India and she desires that the gift should be devoted to the education of the children of Indian Soldiers who have fallen in the War or have been permanently disabled. It is proposed to present the gift of the women of Bengal to Her Excellency Lady Chelmsford during the coming visit of the Viceroy to Calcutta in December. At this time when our hearts are full of thankfulness at the cessation of hostilities, Lord Ronaldshay feels sure that we will be ready to contribute generously to the Fund and thus show not only our love for our Queen, but at the same time our gratitude to those who have fought to bravely for us. His Excellency hopes that the women of Bengal will be able to contribute to the total, which, it is suggested.

MARJORY WHEELER.
1, Theatre Road, Calcutta.

MILITARY CLERKS

To The Editor Of The Statesman SIR, – At last! Someone has stated the unsatisfactory position of those employed on the corps of military staff clerks. If your correspondent Hopeful is anxiously awaiting developments, hoping for improvement in present conditions and prospects, he is but one of many. I, for one, have hoped for improvement for ten years, and now I think I see it dawning. My hopes are based on Mr. Montagu’s statement. Hopeful states one point in which as a Corps we are unique. May I be allowed to state another, viz., Sergeants on other Departments do not pay house-rent, whereas, we, on the lowest grade of pay, of one hundred and twenty rupees per mensem, consolidated, are charged ten per cent on our salary for house rent. If this state of affairs could be remedied it would be appreciated by one and all.

DECADE.