LAND TROUBLE IN INDIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1302, 30 July 1886, Page 3

LAND TROUBLE IN INDIA.

The land question seems to bo a rare trouble to more than one nation. Of all places in the world there is now a land agitation in Assam, whore one might think there was enough land and to spare for everybody without resorting to litigation. It appears that recently there was passed a measure styled tho Assam Land and Revenue Regulation of 1886, for the consolidation and codification of the laws relating to the ownership of land

n that province. Well, this measure appears to bo disliked by the planters r.o less than by the ryots. It is difficult to understand what are the exact objections to it So far, however, as can be gathered from the resolutions adopted by various meetings, it would seem that the following are the principal grievances alleged :-First, that the regulation was passed in the form of an ordinance by the Executive Government, thereby depriving the public of any opportunity of discussion and criticism which would have been afforded had it boon intioduced as a Bill in the Legislative Council ; secondly that it excludes from its operation civil s.ations and military cantonments, and concentrates all real authority in the hands of the (hief Commissioner, that it confers plenary powe s on revenue officers and rcstric s the jurisdiction of the civil courts ; thirdly—and this appears to be the main grievance—that it prohibits tramfer by sale, gift, or otherwise of land held under annual leases. The last and most largely attended meeting on this su jeot was held at Jorehaut on June 3. It is said to have attracted over 10,000 people, who, after strongly condemning the obnoxious regulati n, proceeded to consider general political questions, and passed a series ( f resolutions affirming the necessity of the reorganisation of the Legislative Councils, the repeal of the Arms Act, and to'.renohment of expenditure, and expressing sympathy with the national conferences which met In Calcutta and Bombay some months ago.