THE INDIAN.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 62, 6 December 1907, Page 5

THE INDIAN.

MR. KEIR HARDIE'S OPINION. "INCORRECT STATEMENTS." Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P,, who arrived at Perth last week, interviewed, said he started on the trip on July II with the object, of taking a complete rest as the alternative of a second surgical operation. He intended to visit all the .States and South Africa, and was afraid that he will not bo back in London in time for the opening of Parliament. Ho would-not address a public meeting, but would meet many representative men, and hear as much as possible. With respect to India , , ho would like to stato in a _ most emphatic manner that there was no such thing as sedition in India, if by sedition it was meant severance from the British Crown. The agitation was for a perfectly legitimate object —extension of the , sphere of self-governing i nd opening to higher positions for duly qualified Indians. "I don't advocate secession nor does anybody in India, but self-government is the ultimate gonl. I addressed no meetings in India, but spoke sevoral times-in college to students on educational subjects, and whon pressed with the address I also made brief remarks, but refused to speak at any.public meeting." " : "As to 'equality,", said Mr. Hardio, "I: say. tho Indian is as good as anybody else in his own country, but no opportunity is given Indians to test their fitness for government, and in the absence of that it is most unfair to assume they are unfit. Tho natives are deputy-collectors, the collector being the chief official in the district, also tho district judges, they discharging the responsible post with satisfaction to all concerned. A large section of tho Anglo-Indian Press created certain caricatures of the situation in India, and assuming I am a person of a certain typo. Their subsequent writings have been intended to bolster up that assumption without any regard to the actual facts.' The conduct of Router's agent at Calcutta in the reports of mo was so very bad that the Anglo-Indian journals at Calcutta signed a protest, which was sont to tho Press at Home, warning tho British public against the statements from him. The -Lieutenant-Governor of tho united provinces, Sir Denzie Ibbetson, lately issued an official letter, deploring the ianguago adopted by a section of tho Anglo-Indian Press towards tho natives and the native movement'. ■•■••' < ■ :... ... "The 'Central News' representative at Calcutta cabled home a correction of Renter's statement with regard to myself," continued the visitor. ..... ■ "The Governor of Ceylon is reported to linve, been 'not nt homo' to you."—"l know nothing Of that;"l'simply called and left my card, and as I was busy I did not attempt anything else." . ■ ... Deviating from tho unpleasant part of-In-dian politics, which was obviously not an agreeablo subject, Mr. Hardio was" asked the trend of Labour politics in. Britain. "The trend;" ho replied, "was towards very rapid development." '"Jhe Spectator" was advo-. eating that protectionists and freetraders compose differences, and refer the whole question, to a-commission that they might unito and. oppose tho growing power of the Labour Parties. Tho future, attitude of the party would bo onq of strict independence. The I arty would support that section which brings forward ■ progressive legislation, no matter' from what quarter. It holds aloof from .any-alliance •Oγ-agreement of- either party personally opposed to protection in any shapo or form from politics. He, would express no opinioii about the wisdom or tho unwisdom 'of the protective system for Australia, or. anywhere else. Preferentialism he did ,not believe in. Immigration Mr. Hardio bolioyos to bo purely a question of advertising.' Advertisement alone .was responsible for Canada's tremendous success. The feeling at Home, concluded Mr., Hardie, is that Australia is'a much more agreeable placo to come to. than Canada,, on account of the' climate.