GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21413, 4 March 1935, Page 10

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

o HOME RULE FAVOURED BY ARMY OFFICER VIEWS OF .MAJOR-GENERAL S. R. DAVIDSON The granting of self-government ' to India, under British supervision', was endorsed in an interview yesterday by Major-General S. R. Davidson, C.8., C.M.G., a distinguished New Zealander. who has spent many years in the Indian army, which he joined in 1892. He has also had an important war record.

"To allow the Indians to govern themselves as far as possible, retaining just sufficient supervision to prevent their making any grave or irreparable errors, is the logical course," he said. "It has been British policy for a verv long time to train the native with the ultimate object of giving him self-government, so this is the natural sequel. The Indian is a very reasonable and capable fellow, but he needs supervision. Tndia is divided into as many and as different races as Europe; what is required is the greatest possible degree of local administration under a central government. Not Dominion Status "One hears a great deal of talk about 'Dominion status'-—a catchword originated by Winston Churchill many years ago. India does not want Dominion status. They could never have it. As far into the future as the clearest-sighted of us can see. India will rely, both for internal and externa] security, on British troops. And as long as there are British troops in India there can be no Dominion status—you in New Zealand would hardlv call yourselves independent ; f you required a permanent British garrison to police and protect you. Were the British Army withdrawn from India, the first people to suffer would be the native governing classes, and they are well aware of it. "It is" the white man to whom the native brings any important decision, and no one would less like to see the British withdraw from India than the native." Major-General Davidson continued.

Major-General Davidson said that the natives called in white men to make important decisions, and that no one would like to see a complete withdrawal of the British less than the native. Sensational reports and the use of the Indian question for electioneering and party purposes had done a great deal of harm. Capable and well-qualified men should be appointed to supervise the Indian Government with as little interference as possible. Politicians not fully acquainted with the problems to be solved should not be allowed control. Major-General Davidson is at present on a visit to New Zealand with Mrs Davidson. He was educated at Nelson College, and is a brother of Mrs E. C. Buckley. Waiau.