London, September 23. — Opening of a series of articles in the “Times” on Mesopotamia, Sir G.C. Buchnan emphasies that, in the present economic crises there is no money to spend on visionary and philanthropic enterprises, that cannot possibly show an adequate return for a generation. We have already spent far too much money on Mesopotamia. He declares that a great deal of the abuse of the Government of India in connection with the “Mesopotamian scandal” is unmerited. The Government of India was very badly served in Mesopotamia and India and kept ignorant of events. But when the Mesopotamian report was published, very great changes occurred and the situation is well in hand. The wastage under the War Office regime was shocking. There seemed to be absence of financial control. All departments were extravagant, chiefly the Inland Water Transport, with the Directorate for the Development of Local Resources a good second. The strictest economy is now required. There must be an end to ordering towns to be built regardless of expense, building concrete roads with material from India and carrying out other large public works, without estimates properly drawn up by competent men.
Published - September 26, 2019 12:15 am IST
