Affairs in India.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 2, 27 September 1907, Page 3

Affairs in India.

——<> .. . EXTENT OF THE UNREST; " The Rev. Arthur Parker,, of the. London Missionary Society, will reach Wellington early next month, on the.Society's annual deputation to the Congregational Churches of Australasia. He arrived in C'hristchmoh on Tuesday .to commence- a lecturing tour.-in .that city, and in an interview .wii/h.ii,''[jytt'."""-n Times" renrcsenf-i-

tive, gavo some interesting'information as to the recent unrest in India, of which, however, ho professed inability to speak directly. Travaneorc, when', Mr. Parker's work has lain during the past ton years, though before that lie' worked in Northern India. Mr. Parker's opinion ' was ing kingdoms in tlio extremo south, and it docs' not have the same necessities or ambitions as those in British India,"is one of the little, self-govern-ing kingdoms in the extreme south, and it does not have the same necessities or ambitions as thoso in British India. Mr. Parker's opinion was that the troubio had arisen from an educated class, which had not yet found a proper vent for its activities. The educated Hindoo, he stated, did not turn to commercial or agricultural pursuits, but looked for a position in the Government. The discontent was sporadic and did hot spread. It was ovident in Bengal, especially round Calcutta, and in the Punjab, two widely-separated districts. Tho Punjab had lately suffered severely from .the. plague, and that had, of course, caused a rjood deal of misunderstanding. _ He did not see any danger in the discontent. It was in no sense like the Indian Mutiny, and ho did not think,- it had much of a rcligiour basis. . Tho tenders - were thoso whe had passed through the educational institutions of the Government.'Some persons- thought ■ that' India wanted Home Rule; but'ho did'not think so for a minute.' Tho people- had no idea that thoy could govern their own' country. They had still a dim idea, however, that they could liold all the offices, and Britain rule the country. The Native States, scattered all over the country, representing thirty million people, all had. their own systems .of government,' and, as far a3 he wa« aware, there was no desire to get rid of British protection. It was natural to expect, of course,' that as tho Indian people grew moro educated, f-hcro would bo : a steady "demand for participation in tho ruling of tho country. Provision was boins: mado for it, indeed; and he noticed that two natives had been added-to the Advisory Indian Council which sat ir. England, and advised tho Irdian Office. The Legislative Councils in India, .especially in Calcutta, Bengal, and. the North-Western provinces, had had natives on them for years, although they wore nominated by tho Government,- not 1 elected.