Foreign Office fears on policy towards Persia in Persian Gulf, and danger of taking too local and Indian a view; Zanzibar subsidy to Muscat one of very few questions Argyll has taken to Cabinet who are unanimously opposed to it – Argyll thinks it an unjust use of British power; crisis on home mil...
Has made Lady Mayo's acquaintance; Argyll had only one supporter in Council on question of cesses [i.e. local taxes] in Bengal for roads and education; explains legal problem concerning imposition of cesses; candidates for Star of India.
Distrusts evidence regarding alleged unreliability of Madras Army; does not share view that time is coming when Native Army will hardly be needed except on frontier – still many military and fanatical tribes in India; existence of different elements in Native Army positive advantage; fact that Ma...
Need for caution with local taxes while increased income tax is causing dissatisfaction – rate for roads more natural and more easily understood than one for education; Alcock's alarming representations that we should consider agreeing mutual reductions in opium crops; doubtful of advisability of...
Sends memorial just received from Cotton Supply Association; suggests general instruction to Collectors might be given to promote agricultural improvements; Mayo's planned Agricultural Dept might issue such instructions and receive reports.
Despatch on local cesses [i.e. taxes or rates] is being sent which it approves provided they are levied on all landowners with interest in the soil, and not just zamindars; also states opinion they should be levied on all immovable property, not just land; sees some Bengal regiments have been con...
Question whether persons having CB should also be eligible for CSI; even if opium revenue does not fail, believes new source of revenue will be required and suggests tobacco excise; need for reduction in expenditure.
New Indian Agricultural Dept should be created from existing materials to avoid expense; danger that new Dept will favour sectional interests regardless of tax considerations, and will also ally with British mercantile interests which always press their own objects without any regard to Indian ne...
Sistan arbitration; disagrees with Mayo's suggestion that relations with Persia should be transferred from British Foreign Office to Govt of India – their connection with relations with Russia makes this impossible; all foreign relations beyond immediate frontier powers should be under FO; would ...