THOUGHTS ON . . . . . . . . . BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 13
stage at which every one in this country is required to make a choice of his career.
The second advantage of my proposal lies in its combination of economy and efficiency. A boy will be able to complete his legal education within 4 years. This is a saving of two years over the present system. The alternative suggestion also requires six years. From the standpoint of poorer students, it has no advantage over the present system. From the standpoint of training, I venture to say that the existing system as well as the alternative suggested by the Committee suffer in comparison with mine. The existing system allows only two year for the study which is undoubtedly very inadequate. The alternative scheme allots three years. But my scheme provides four full years. From the standpoint of efficiency, it is, therefore, superior to both.
The third advantage is that it will introduce a process of selection. Those who have not the definite object of entering the profession will be weeded out. Only those with the definite object will join. It will, thus, held to prevent the overcrowding of the profession.
There is only one objection which may be urged against it by some with whom I have discussed it. It is that a Matriculation student will not be able to follow lectures in law. My reply to this is twofold. My friend, Mr. S. C. Joshi, M. A., LL.B., Advocate of the Bombay High Court, assures me that there is no substance in the objection. He is conducting the classes for the Bar Council’s Examination for the last several years with great credit as the results show. He has had first-hand experience of teaching Law to Matriculates and I attach much importance to his opinion in this connection. My second reply is that under my scheme, the course for the LL.B. is of two years and the study of Law need not commence from the first year. It may commence in the second.
Coming to the last question of the reorganisation of the Law Colleges, this question was considered by a Committee appointed in 1898 as also by another Committee appointed in the year 1915