IS IT SO SERIOUS ?

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 759, 7 March 1910, Page 4

IS IT SO SERIOUS ?

THE SULLEN FRONT OF INDIA,

NEW ZEALANDER'S OPINION.

(By Telesraph.-Special Correspondent.)

Christchurch, March i; A little over seven years ago,' Dr. de Renzi, who was at the timo doing private research work in England in bacteriology, was selected by the Secretary 'of State for India as special medical officer to the Government of the Punjaub, to assist in combating the plague. Since leaving India, Dr. de Rensti has spent a year in London, German, and United States hospitals, and has now settled ■ down in Christchurch. In the course of conversation with a representative of "The Press," Dr. de Kenzi gavo some interesting information regarding Indian affairs.". Ho stated that tho attitude of the natives of the. Pmijaub towards tho Government was well exemplified by thoiv actions in connection with the steDs taken to combat the plague. When Dr. de Eenzi went to India the Government of the Puujaub were anxious to adopt a scheme for inoculation with Professor Haffkine's anti-plague serum, but the natives, over suspicious, nullified ' the Government's efforts, and tho results were disappointing.. One reason for this attitude was that an unfortunate accident had occurred in connection with this prophylactic, and nineteen Punjaub villagers who had been inoculated by a European medical officer had died within five days. A native assistant of. the medical officers had dropped a cork from one of the vaccine bottles on the earth, and had replaced it. Tho cork had been contaminated with germs from tho ground, With the result already mentioned. -The death of these . villagers inflamed the mind of the whole of India (so rapidly does news of this'kind travel) against the Government's measures, and the' bubonic plague had to be combated by adopting, means for tho destruction of rats. In order to gain the confidence- of the people, added Dr. de Itenzi, the Government offered -thorn medical and surgical assistance. For thar/eaclririodical officer was provided with a. staff of native assistants, and the necessary tents. The medical officers' camp having been established the head men of the village were called together, and the medical officeT held a durbar, at which the. people were addressed. The sick would be brought out to be treated after much persuasion, and the offer of a reward from the Government (for a native will hardly, do anything with such a promise). Tho vi'l-. lagers would be inoculated, camp would then be struck, a-nd a move made to the noit village, lyjiere l the same procedure was gone through. ■ Dr. de Renzi found amongst the Sikh peasantry, after the conclusion of the Russo-Japanese War, a. most noticeablf change in their demeanour towards the British. From being tho backbone of thp British power they became sullen anij extremely antagonistic. The ' intsrnal differences between the Hindus and the Mohammedans are the real safeguard as far as British rule is concerned. Lord Kitchener's plan of mixing tte native regiments'is another safeguard. In a mixed native regiment the one element watches tho other, and makes mutiny almost impossible, i • Amongst military men in India, Dr. de R-eaizi found that New Zealanders in the Indian Army were highly thought of. "It isa great pity," he continued,' "that there are not more New Zealanders in the Indian Army, because the military training obtainable is of the best."