“WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH OUR BOYS”?

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – Pro Bono Publico’s letter in which he proposes the retention of Territorials in India to fill civil billets in this country, is, I think, out of place. He quite forgets that the lot of the Domiciled Community is a hard one where billets are concerned, and the infusion of fresh blood here would only tend to make things harder for this community. Territorials would, no doubt, get the pick of everything good that might be going, for the simple reason that they are men from Home – a qualification, through no effort of their own, which is a great factor when applying for a situation in India. Most Territorials in this country at present are men who have liens on their appointments at Home, and it is to be left to them to decide whether they go back or not to their old jobs. No encouragement whatever should in this case be offered to these men to remain out here.

FAIR CHANCE

Calcutta.

SANITATION IN SERAMPORE

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – I had the misfortune to visit Serampore yesterday, and, after even the very little I saw, I only wonder why all the population of that place are not dead. In a space of about 300 yards from the ghat, I saw more filth in the gutters, and in the roads, more stagnant, stinking, black water, garbage – a dead dog that had been lying at least three days – I repeat, more filth than ever I have seen in any other place in India, and I have been out twenty-five years. The man who complained about Howrah should see Serampore for five minutes only. He would then congratulate himself on his greater blessings at home. The worst was that when I complained about the filth I was told the place was then cleaner than usual.

GLAD I DON’T LIVE THERE.

Barrackpore.

DEMOBILISATION

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – Demobilisation is the subject of much discussion, but no one has yet appeared to realise the claim of one class who, I submit, should be considered at the very outset of any demobilisation scheme that may be brought into operation. I refer to men who are the owners of “one-man businesses.” These men at the call of their country rallied to the colours and showed themselves willing to sacrifice what they had struggled for years to obtain. In many cases (my own included) their wives took upon themselves a labour of love, and, although almost entirely unversed in business matters previously, have by almost superhuman endeavour managed at cost of health and finance to keep those businesses going. Now that the war is over and the men have done their bit to the best of their ability for their beloved country, I submit that it is the bounden, solemn duty of the Government to give those men a chance of returning to their businesses immediately. We have done our bit in the fight for freedom.

BUSINESS MAN.

Jubbulpore.