'REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1904-1905' [‎169v] (114/116)

Cliap. VII.
INSTRUCTION.
90
BOMBAY ADMINISTRATION REPORT.
General.
General tone of the
Native Press.
References to
particular ©vents.
The Victoria and
Albert Museum,
Victoria Museum,
Karachi,
2. —Newspapers.
1. At the end of the year under report there were in all 158 newspapers and8 •
as against 161 and 6 last year. Fifteen newspapers were newly started, but 16
publications ceased to exist. Of the total, 30 per cent, were published in the City of n 6 ol(1
13 per cent, in the Northern Division, 26 per cent, in the Central Division, 13 1
Southern Division, 8 per cent, in Sind, and 10 per cent, in the Native States’, AWq tl16
were published in English, 35 per cent, in Marathi, and about 16 per cent, in Guiaraf ^
editors 7 were Brahmans, 21 Banias, 24 Parsis and 9 Muhammedans. The R ^ ■ ■
circulation of 17,500 showed an increase of 3,000 copies. The circulation of the
and the Aen? increased by 900 and 700 to 1,500 and 6,400 copies. The circulation f ^
papers showed little variation. 0
2. Excluding a few Marathi newspapers, whose indiscriminate hostility ^
abatement, the tone of the ISIative Press was on the whole moderate. y m
3. Lord Curzon's administration and speeches continued to receive close att r ’
were severely critioised by many papers. The Russo-Japanese war was followed
interest, and the sympathy of the newspapers was wholly on the side of the Asiatic now ^
Tibet Mission in particular, and also the Mission to Kabul and the Commercial w'' ^
Persia were the subject of much hostile criticism. The abolition of competitive ex
for the executive branch of the Provincial Civil Service, and the resolution regarding th 1 ?
proportions of Europeans and Natives in the public service were regarded with disarmr 61 !
though more appreciative criticism was not wanting, the Educational policy of GovernmV^
in many quarters adversely commented on. en ffa8
The attitude of the Government of India towards proposals for preferential tariff 1
regarded with approval, but Lord Kitchener’s scheme for the reorganization of the Armv™
severely criticised, and disappointment was expressed that the financial statement preLS
to the Viceroy’s Council did not contemplate a further reduction in the salt tax orafuA
enhancement of the limit of income liable to income tax. The principles laid down fortk
grant of remissions and suspensions of land revenue met with general approval tWl
exception was taken to the rules applied to the Deccan. The frequent issue of press notes L
the agricultural situation was favourably commented on. The illness of Lady Curzon pml,i
expressions of the deepest sympathy.
The administration of Lord Lamington was viewed with keen and critical appreciation nl
laudatory references were made to His Excellency’s deep sympathy and his senuine doik
see things for himself and form an independent judgment. His tours undertaken in Guiarst,tli
Deccan, the Southern Mardtha Country and Smd evoked for the most part favourable
As regards plague policy there were few complaints of stringency, but many of the Mail
papeis objected to the passive attitude of the local authorities. Of the more important kill-
tive measures introduced during the year, the Indian Universities Act and the Official Secretsih
were most adversely criticised. The Co-operative Credit Societies Act was on the whole f.»
fh!irft 8 ™/td' WaS A th f e ? 0mb y Kh oti Settlement Act, but the Court of Wards Act anitk
M 3 ent™Jchm k pn^ AC k A ri! n i men J ; , Act ^ ere e ? l ? s Uered to be uncalled for and tocomtituk
riven hv Cnvevnm \ f L^V^i °f . bl , s Vl nc families. The active sympathy and assiatam
movement was nm'tp ? • 6 IM US ^ rm Exhibition were greatly appreciated and the wUi
movement was praised as giving an impetus to Indian industries.
Literary Societies.
See-
CENBRAL ADMINISTRATION REPORT FOR 1901-1902, PAST II,
PAGES 172—173.
3. Arts and Sciences-
number of visitors'^w^ 704 07 ®? t< ? tbe P u pic during during 313 days of the year. The
average of 2,382 in the precedinf yeaf. & ^ attendance of 2 > 250 as a " ainst * *
was also vkitedTy 636°*purda TidiJ 1 ^ 0 ^ from 36 r 709 to 54 - 680 ; Tlie M " S "
<u\jo cijJJ-vl ex r
were made to the colledio 11