Page:The Modern Review (July-December 1925).pdf/515

490 Ashutosh is to do any work in the University, he must be able to keep the majority of votes in the hollow of his hands. It is because he has been able to do this by various means that Sir Ashutosh has become a dictator in the University.

Four-fifths of the ordinary Fellows of the Calcutta University are nominated by the Chancellor, but always on the recommendation of the then Vice-Chancellor. Cases have been known in which names suggested by the Chancellor have been objected to by the V.C. and the Chancellor has bowed to ike latter’s wishes. As Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee was V.C. for ten years, he has been directly responsible for the nomination in the aggregate of nearly twice the normal number of Fellows, and many of his men have continued after his retirement (1922). Such a Senate must continue for some years more to echo his voice.

The independence of judgment possessed by those academicians who helped Sir Ashutosh to make himself “dictator of the Calcutta University” (as Professor R. P. Chanda found him to be) is quite obvious from their conduct. As for the spirit of self-respect and sense of decorum of certain of his men, examples have been given from their University lectures and dedications of works, in past issues of this Review. When a University Professor in an academic lecture delivered at the University (not birthday ode chanted at Bhawanipur) throws Sir Ashutosh’s portrait on the screen and bows to it, and declares that he has discovered an ancient silver scroll inscription stating that Saraswati would be incarnate in the 19th century at Bhawanipur (Sir Ashutosh’s residence) and that she (or he?) would have two demons for her enemies (meaning two independent Fellows of the Calcutta University)—Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, with his characteristic sense of propriety, presiding at these performances and never once calling the speaker to order,—self-respecting people can draw only one conclusion as to the character of such academicians.

The question is, should such arts continue to be held up before the youth of Bengal as models of conduct for “getting on” in life.

The character of the research work done by such men cannot be examined for want of space in this issue.

OUKREOT HISTORY BY T.O.B. scribed the measure as iniquitous and refused to permit his state to be instrumental in deport­ HE organised strike of seamen has reduced ing political and industrial leaders. The the condition of travellers to a state of House of Representatives also adopted a helplessness. The strike has affected Eng­ Special Police- Bill to deal with the strike. land, Australia and South Africa. The strike The strike affected more than fifty ships in originated from British Seaman’s refusal to Australian waters and over 2,66,000 tons of sign an agreement except at the old rate of British shipping were idle in Australian Ports. pay and it began at Sydney on 21st August The strike extended to South Africa where a whore a mass meeting of fifteen hundred serious situation developed. At Cape Town overseas seamen unanimously adopted a British seamen refused to take vessels out to resolution that there should be no resumption sea. Necessarily the cargoes were being loaded of work until the demand for payments of in foreign snips: Sttmw sifipprug- agtaravy Tnly rates of pay to all British shippers in proposed to appoint Indian seamen in some all waters was accepted. There was conside­ strike centres, but this was bitterly resented rable apprehension that Mr. "Walsh the leader by white South Africa agaiust the coloured’s of strike would be deported as the Govern­ advent. They extricated from the Premier a ment of South Africa appointed a deportation statement announcing that the Government of Board in spite of grave protest from Mr. Lang South Africa would not allow such a step the New'South Wales Labour premier who de­ and that Lascars being prohibited immigrants Austkadia, Exglaxd and South Africa