tion between the smaller and the larger industries is not very sharp. Without descending into details, it may be stated generally, that there are some in the former category which would be more remunerative if conducted on a large than on a small scale.

The prosecution of the smaller industries would no doubt, afford a good training for larger and more hazardout undertakings. But we must bear in mind, that time is a very important consideration. European enterprise is so watchful and alert, that it will not leave the economic resources of India to be exploited by the Indians when they are ready to do so. Manganese mining, for instance, was hardly known in India in the eighties. It has been started and developed within the last fifteen years-developed so fully indeed, that under existing conditions, it hardly offers a tempting field for the newborn enterprise of my countrymen. One must now-a-days be wideawake and seize industrial opportunities quickly or they are lost to him, perhaps for ever. The eastern mind cannot quite grasp the why or wherefore of this breathless race for industrial progress, this ceaseless struggle for the accumulation of wealth. The spirit of the modern civilisation of the west does not quite harmonise with the spirit of the Indian civilisation. But if the Indians must take

assistance to indigenous industries by protection. We were told in a recent official report, with an air of exultation, that India seis an example to the whole civilised world in the matter of free trade. But is it to the advantage of India itself that it should do so? This is a wide question, and I cannot pursue at this late hour the discussions to which it gives rise. Different authorities will have different opinions on it, but my brief analysis of the decay of Indian manufactures will have prepared you to expect my own personal conclusion, that the time is ripe for a careful consideration of current convictions on this subject.” Every civilised country except England has its protection-tariffs. India is, I believe, the only country which has to admit foreign manufactures without any protective duty. It will, however, be futile to expect our Government to impose any duties which may even remotely partake of the nature of protection. Such protection as is needed for our present or future industries—and infant industries do require protection-must be given. by us. The question for us to settle is, how is that to be done? Sometime ago I heard that a Joint Stock Company was to be formed on a large scale for the sale of articles of indigenous manufacture. The idea is a good one, and I hope it will be carried out. I have

no doubt it will indirectly afford

protection.

indirectly afford some amount of

Gentlemen, very serious difficulties beset our path. Our efforts to overcome them should be all the more earnest and all the more energetic. We must "awake, arise, or be for ever fallen." Believe me, gentlemen, unless we exert ourselves immediately, there will be scarcely any room left for us. I do not wish to detract from the value of social or political reform; but industrial reform has to me a value far higher than either, What will social or political reform avail a starving nation? And starvation does stare us in the face in the near future. A nation of half-starved clerks and coolies and cultivators will never make any sound progress. We may, and often do, make a show of progress; but substantial progress there will be none until we are in a position to make railways and to work mines and mills on a large scale.

in

CHAPTER II

(Lecture delivered in Calcutta, July 1906)

THE recent industrial awakening of India, indications of which are noticeable on all sides, must fill the heart of every well-wisher of hers with joy and hope. Exhibitions of indigenous manufactures which ten years ago were few and far between, are now held every year many important districts, and the Exhibition in connection with the Indian National Congress has now become an annual institution. An industrial conference was held last year which, well organised and well managed, is capable of accomplishing very useful work. The Swadeshi movement which has been in existence for the last quarter of a century, but which hitherto has met with but little favour, has since last year received a great impetus, and now promises to be a motive force in industrial development. Fifteen years ago, appeals

for funds for the promotion of technical education in Bengal met with but little response, were, in fact, a cry in the wilderness. But within the last two years funds amounting to not less than ten lakhs of rupees have been raised for the purpose in Bengal alone.

The industrial awakening is most marked in Bengal. It was certainly most needed there. Bengal has taken a leading part in recent intellectual, religious, and social progress. But, in respect of industrial enterprise she has hitherto been far more backward than Bombay or even the Punjab and the United Provinces.. Cotton manufacture, the principal industry of the Western Presidency, is largely, if not mainly, financed and managed by the people of that Presidency. On the other hand, Jute manufacture and coal mining, the two chief industries of Bengal, an almost exclusively in the hands of Europeans. The people of Bengal are, however, now adopting vigorous measures to make up for their past neglect, and it seems now as if her industrial backwardness will soon be a thing of the past. A cotton mill has just been acquired by a Bengali Joint Stock Company; improved handlooms are being extensively introduced; a Bengali pottery concern is about to expand its operations with up-to-date equipment; a joint stock coal concern due mainly to Bengali enter