WHY NOT JUTE DHOTIES?            

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – There is not the slightest doubt that there is a serious shortage of cloth all over India and that a reduction in the prices of cotton cloth will not only do nothing to relieve the shortage but have an exactly contrary effect. This is an obvious corollary.  There are enormous jute factories all up and down the Hooghly. Surely it would be possible to weave a coarse cloth sufficient to keep body and soul together among the poorer people during the coming cold weather by utilising these resources. Surely jute could be carded out, and spun into a fairly fine yarn and woven into a sufficiently close texture to be used for purposes of clothing by adaption of the present machinery. It would probably not be a profitable undertaking but unless something is done there is likely to be considerable trouble ahead all over the country. It is up to someone in authority to take time by the forelock.

SYMPATHISER.

THE VICTORIA MEMORIAL

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – Any resident of Calcutta who may be interested in this Memorial is invited to walk along the new road to the north of the building and inspect the balustrade which is being erected. Standing on the path to the north of the road at a point opposite the end of this balustrade one can see how the latter detracts from the beauty and dignity of the Memorial. It is of course necessary to have something to demarcate the Memorial grounds and for this purpose the stone plinth already constructed would appear sufficient. There should be no difficulty in disposing of the balustrade as decorative masonry of this class is in great demand for beautifying the garden houses. In any case as the Memorial is not likely to be completed for a year or so it would appear quite unnecessary at the present moment. Let us hope that no attempt will be made to decorate the grounds of the Memorial. By all means let there be trees and shrubs but no flower beds.

PEDESTRIAN.

QUEEN MARY’S SILVER WEDDING GIFT

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – Your readers will no doubt have seen that Her Imperial Majesty the Queen-Empress has graciously consented to receive a Silver Wedding gift from the women of India in the form of a Fund for promoting the education of the children of Indian soldiers who have fallen in the war. As Her Excellency Lady Chelmsford has pointed out in publishing an appeal on behalf of this Fund, Her Imperial Majesty’s decision in this matter will be hailed with pleasure by the women of India, for no nobler object could be contemplated than the relief of the families of those soldiers who have fallen in this common cause for which the British Empire and its Allies are now fighting. I feel sure that the women of Bengal will respond to the call. His Excellency the Governor has asked me to organise the collection of subscriptions in Bengal, and a representative committee is being formed to assist in forwarding this end. Sir Norcot Warren has very kindly consented to act at Honorary Treasurer for the fund in Bengal.

MARJORY WHEELER.