560 NON-CO-OPERATION
starving for want of a large productive occupation ancillary to agriculture.
You will not mistake this for a movement of general boycott of foreign goods. India does not wish to shut herself out of international commerce. Things other than- cloth which can be better made outside India, she must gratefully receive upon terms advantageous to the con- tracting parties. Nothing can be forced upon her. But I do not wish to peep into the future. 1 am certainly hoping that before long it would be possible for India to co-operate with England on equal terms. Then will be the time for examining trade relations. For the time being, 1 bespeak your help in bringing about a boycott of foreign cloth.
Of similar and equal importance is the campaign against drink. The liquor shops are an insufferable curse- imposed upon society. There never was so much awaken- ing among the people as now, upon this question. I admit that here, it is the Indian ministers who can help more than you can. But 1 would like you to speak out your mind clearly on the question. Under every system of government total prohibition, so far as 1 can see, will be insisted upon by the nation. You can assist the growth of the ever-rising agitation by throwing in the weight of your influence on the side of the nation.
I am,
Your faithful friend, M. K. Gandhi.
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