Now, gentlemen, what is the story of our commerce and industry? I do
not desire to begin from the beginning. I will not recall to mind or
help you to recall to your mind the history of the destruction of our
trade and the annihilation of our industries. Let the dead past bury
its dead. But what about the living? What has the Government done to
encourage Commerce and Industry in recent years? It is the crying
need of the hour--the peculiar circumstances of this country demand a
solution of this problem. Has the bureaucracy done anything in this
matter? It is the duty of every civilized government to lend a helping
hand and thus encourage the growth of Commerce and Industry. Can the
Bureaucracy lay its hand on its breast and say that it has fulfilled
its trust? The answer must be 'no'. That is another reason why we want
Home Rule, and gentlemen, that is another chapter in the story of the
great denial (hear, hear).
Do you want proof? For agriculture, the Government spends only 24 lacs
of rupees out of Bengal's share of land-revenue which is 1-1/2 crores.
What do the Government do with that money? The Bureaucracy says we
who want Home Rule are not fit to represent the people! What has the
Government done for them? They spend only 24 lacs of rupees or rather
misspend it. Have any improvements been effected? That is the test. It
is possible to have highly paid European agricultural officers without
agricultural improvements.
That is exactly what has happened!