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"We all know what fine rulers, statesmen, soldiers, legal ad-
visers, etc., India can produce, but my view is that Indianiza-
tion of the Government services has its limitations, and I venture
to say that these limitations are more accentuated in regard to the
classes from which our Indian veterinary graduates are drawn than
in any other Indian community which aims at obtaining Govern-
ment employment in positions at present filled by gentlemen with
European education and qualifications. Only quite recently I was
reading an account of a speech made by His Excellency the Gover-
nor of the United Provinces at some function at the Agricultural.
College, Cawnpore, at which he said, as well as I can remember,
'Agriculture is by far the most important industry in this country,
and I do not think that any one is likely to dispute this statement.'
Consequently, in view of your close connection with agriculture and
the importance of keeping live-stock free from contagious and
infectious disease I fail to see why your service does not appear to
receive more consideration from the Government and carry more
weight with the general public. In fact, I was more than surprised
to find a statement by Mr. Hullah in his criticism on your educational
scheme to the following effect: 'The difficulty, of course, lies in
the existence of the Imperial branch of the Service. That branch
will, I have no doubt, soon cease to exist' Gentlemen, with all
due deference to the Indian gentlemen at present employed in your
department, my considered view is that it will be a fatal mistake
if the Government of India ever try to officer your service with
Indians only.

"Irrespective of ability, caste and religious principle will always
make it very difficult, if not impossible, for the Indian to carry
out a campaign against a contagious and infectious disease amongst
animals unless he is directed and supported by British officers.

"I am quite with you in your efforts to improve the education
and training of your Veterinary Assistants. But I should be very
wary about going beyond a certain point, for not only will you
find yourselves gradually absorbed by gentlemen with Indian
veterinary qualifications, but all the good work which has been
done by your service in this country since its formation some 35
years ago will be wasted. If I may say so, what is required of
you is to put your own house in order first. No officer without the
diploma of the R.C.V.S. and at least one post-graduate course
should be accepted for service in the Imperial branch. After they
have been accepted these officers should aim at keeping themselves
qualified up to the highest standard; for this purpose I maintain
that searching examinations should be passed periodically before
promotion is obtained to the higher appointments of your service.