Page:Indian Journal of Economics Volume 2.djvu/493

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4?5 Mr. G. Monteath, the Collector of Canara, in 1918, a spirited reply in which an attempt was made to show (First Revision Settlement of Honavar Taluka, Govern- ment selections, No. DLVI--New series) that the orders contained in the above resolution were based upon incorrect premises, that there was no rack- renting and that the high prices o! land were not due to the pressure of the population. I hope I need not multiply instances to prove how questions 0! the most vital importance to the rural population and, therefore, to the country in general, are raised, discussed and disposed of in the course o! settlement inquiries. Economists cannot afford to stand aside and allow these problems of material development and state policy to noticed. They should of trenching upon what not be deterred by is regarded as the pass un- the fear revenue officers' domain. I should wish a body like this Economic Conference to take the lead in advocating the course I 'am suggesting in this paper. It has been already made clear that enquiry into the condi. tion of individual villages has its value, and a stt/dy of larger areas must be undertaken to supplement such investigation, not to supersede it. From the remarks the Hon'ble Sir Claude Hill made in the Supreme Legislative Council, there is no doubt that the Supreme Government will suggest to the Provincial Governments the idea of causing economic inquiries to be held in particular areas. I venture to submit that this Conference should urge the extreme desirabi- lity o! associating oittside and nonotficial workers in the field of economics, in the proposed inquiries whenever and wherever ordered by Provincial Govern- ments. I have further to urge this kind of cellabors- 'rich in all settlement and other economic enquiries that are officially made as a matter o! administrative