"INDIA ASA GREAT IMPERIAL ASSET"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 258, 19 July 1918, Page 6

"INDIA ASA GREAT IMPERIAL ASSET"

Sir,—ln a recent issue appeared the report of the Committee on Indian Constitutional Reform. In. it there is much food for thought in this time of Imperial problems. The freedom of the smaller States is taken for granted now, but the cuble gives a, passage from the "Morning Post" whore it states that

"the scheme to undermine the foundations of British rule in India, which are the British magistrate and collector" (tax collector).

Surely this is unconscious humour, yet British rule lias done much lo consolidate India. It has transformed it from a number of minor wiurring States to a nation anxious to take a prominent part in the world-wide struggle for the freedom of largo and small nations. India has been trained and educated along European lines, and is nowi desirous of putting into practice a modified form of the Governments of the West;

British irulo in India has not so far shown tho capability of advancing with the times. It is a survival of the East India Company and reminiscent of medievalism. It is lamentably . behind the other States of the British Empire.

There • are only 122,919 English-born persons in India,' yet the population of British India is 255,000,000. Is it not likely that the chief governing bodies, which are almost entirely dominated by British, should givo undue consideration to purely British interests? The suggested changes are sadly overdue, for India has contributed heavily in proportion to her limited wealth, and' has sent ovor a million of fully-equipped and highly-trained troops to the various theatres of war. At the recent Indian National Congress the president stated that over ten million volunteers could be drawn from India. Germany must smile up her sleeve over the fact that 122,919 EiHish-born residents in India have prevopled a wido utilisation of India s manpower, whilst (he whilo races are being drained of their physically fit.-I am, ° l:0 " J. GRIFFITHS, Hon. Sec. (pro tern.) N.Z. and India League. Johnsonville.