BENGAL FAMINE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 September 1943, Page 4

BENGAL FAMINE

“ALMOST ENTIRELY MAN-MADE” DENUNCIATION OF INDIAN MINISTRY. DEMANDS BY WELSH MINERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 1.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 28. The famine in Bengal is almost entirely man-made, declares Sir Alfred Watson, writing in the “Daily Telegraph.” He adds that Bengal, the most fertile province in India, fed itself when other areas starved. The Indian Ministry ruling the province in these days looked on complacently until a crisis developed. It even rejected offers of help. Meanwhile those having grain withheld it from the market for sale at fantastic prices. The “Daily Express” says the British public will expect instant action, because this is our affair, touching our ■honour and good sense. While Indians drop dead of starvation, we read in newspapers that Canadian wheat may be converted into spaghetti for Italian consumption. What about the Benghalis? The South Wales Miners’ Executive carried a resolution urging the immediate recall of Parliament to discuss the famine in India and demanded that the Government take immediate steps to relieve distress. The executive also asked for an immediate inquiry into allegations that profiteering caused the famine. The executive voted £250 for Indian relief from the Miners’ Fund.