CO882-(1-2) — Page 14

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

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C.O. 882

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC. COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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warrant the expense of a joint survey of both fields. For one and the same establishment will probably suffice for both purposes, and will survey double the quantity, and do double the work, in less than double the time, and at far less than double the expense.

But all this balance of advantage over ex- be it remarked, is contingent on a great pense, original assumption. The most systematic and scientific survey, we have resolved to be the best -if the landholders do not resist its introduction. But it is not always that the easily-alarmed prejudices and easily-excited apprehensions of the natives will allow of any but a very imper- The fect and superficial one being made. sudden and premature introduction in a country of a system of measurement to which it is un- accustomed, has led from time immemorial to formidable consequences. We read of them in the Roman edicts on the Temples of the Oases. We remember them ourselves in the insurrec- tion of Malabar. The first Ceylon insurrection and the Naning war arose from similar causes.

It behoves us, therefore, to feel our way with caution on every similar occasion, and especially in so strong a country as Ceylon, where we have already twice found to our cost how difficult it

is to quench a flame of disaffection once kindled in its jungles.

As far as those who are personally unac- quainted with the colony, and have access to

very imperfect information here, can judge at

so great a distance and disadvantage of the state of landed property in Ceylon, of the cir- cumstances and of the feeling of the landed proprietors, of the degree of confidence they repose in the justice and moderation of the Government, and of the degree of awe in which they stand of its power, it would appear most probable that we shall have to content our- selves in Ceylon with contributions in kind for some time to come, and over a considerable quantity of land,—and to that extent the Govern- ment could have no desire to push the survey further than the holding in the mass; an object

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that would seem not difficult to attain; while, on the other hand, on those lands from which a money revenue may be looked for, and where Government would consequently desire to make the most perfect and detailed survey practi- cable, it would seem probable that, compared to what now exists, considerable scientific pre- cision and regularity in the methods of survey and assessment would be practicable in the maritime provinces; and rather less in the Kandyan; but in neither, to anything like the extent implied and required by so elaborate and perfect a cadastre as Mr. Bird's.

Mr. Bird's system is probably more compre- hensive and capable of general adaptation than any other Indian one. Many parts of it would no doubt be invaluable in Ceylon. Some would be in any country. But, as a whole, is it likely to succeed in Ceylon? In no case could an elaborate system of revenue administration framed for one country be expected to suit another so far removed in situation, climate, manners, we may almost add Government. Its principles, perhaps its general outlines, some of its expedients, might be used. But, as a whole, as the identical system, it could hardly be enforced. The chance is that it would provoke an insurrection, as in the case of Malabar, or if it did not, that it would paralyse rural in- dustry, and fall like a blight on the country,

as in some parts of Guzerat on the intro- duction of Munro's system.

the

energy

It required all of Mr. Bird's character to carry out

his system in a country to suit which it was

e preasly framed; and where we had been try- ing preliminary experiments for thirty years. We know the sort of reception, threatening for a time to end in its total defeat, which it met with

in Benares, when on the frontier of its jurisdic- tion it came in contact with a new descrip- tion of tenures, and a changed popular feeling. In Ceylon we are as regards land revenue much where we were half a century ago, The people have all along been unused to any but the rudest and most partial form of land-tax.