IS BRITAIN TO BE AN EMPIRE OF FREE NATIONS?

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 310, 19 September 1918, Page 6

IS BRITAIN TO BE AN EMPIRE OF FREE NATIONS?

! Sir,—A Router's telegram gave_ a statement by Mr. Lloyd George claiming that, "he was all for a, League of Nations. Indeed, the league that had begun in the British Empire _ was a league of free nations." This is incorrect; but some far-seeing statesmen 'nave aimed at such an empire. A free nation, is a power to be reckoned with at all times; but a league df free natioiiß would be an irresistible force in world politics. Our Empire _is composed of a number of free nations, but others are in bondage. Is Ireland free to accept or reject conscription? India contains three-fourths or more of the Empire's population, but she is suffering under a cruol bondage. How is it she- is so patient white 320,000,000 natives submit to the domination of 122,000 European aliens? Because her leading men believe Britain to be ti freedom-loving nation. The Indian National Congress has avowed its faith in British ideals, and for thirty-oiie years has been praying—but is now demanding—that reforms be now granted, so that complete self-government may be achieved in about twenty years. Seemingly their faith has not been well founded. The Royal Proclamation of 1858 promised them self-gov-ernment, but after sixty years only a few minor reforms have been granted, whilst many coercive measures have since been passed aitdqiridcly enforced ;• The Press Act, which enables officials to demand a heavy security from any journal. This security.' is often forfeited, and no reason given. In 1897 two editors wore kept in prison for over eighteen months without trial. The Supreme and Provincial Legislative Councils are nominated, and Inuinns havo no voice in their selection. These councils cannot withhold supplies when the Budget is read. Examinations for the Indian Civil Service are held in England, so prospective Indian candidates have to undertake the expensive journey there. A resolution was passed in the House of Commons in favour of simultaneous examinations being held in Britain and India. This was in; .Tune, 1893, but the Anglo-In-dian Government has ignored the resolution. The revenue for last year was £86,199.600, the cost of administration was £47,772,500. The poorest country in the world has the highest-paid Civil Servants; of whom only about onefortieth or less are Indians. Two hundred years ago India was one of the richest countries in ' the world, now she is the poorest.; Official figures give the average income as 275. per head per annum. What about those below the average? In comparing relative income and taxation we find tlint England paid Si per cent, of her income in taxation. India, out of her extreme poverty, T>aid 22 per cent. Indians are not al- , lowed to volunteer for the period of the war. They are refused commissions in their own army, although a i'ecept pronouncement was issued removing this 'Usability, but so fnv it is a dead letter, for the Anglo-Trdian Government lias made a change which mnkcs matters, if possible, worse. The Indian National Congress' apnointed two deputations to proceed to Britain, ami state the case for India. Both were allowpd to embark. One was. stopped at Colombo and thn other was marooned on Gibraltar. Who was responsible? I would like to mention more. But the fact remains that had India been a free nation within the Enipire she would have trained and equipwi more than the 1.250.000 out df her 70,000.000 of military ace. India has been nncged, hound, and starved bv an tin-British autocratic aivl alien Government, that has frequently icnored the efforts of thn Impwinl authorities to 'ntro'iiire reform. IVre can be no douht that Britain is aiming at a:Kmnirc of free nations, but the highlvpalrl bureaucrats of British India present a difficult T>robl»tn. Rut a wider knowJralnre _ of the disabilities of our lonitsulrering Imperial partner will force the reforms so needed.—T am. etc., J. GRIFFITHS, Hon Soe.. N.Z. and Indin League. Johnsonville, September 16.