POLITICAL REFORM IN INDIA

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 104, 26 January 1935, Page 6

POLITICAL REFORM IN INDIA

In the Government of India Bill are implemented the final decisions of the British Government as to how far for the present the development of self-government in that great dependency may be allowed to proceed. To the Conservative “Die-hards’ the concessions are too liberal, and even dangerous; advanced opinion declares that they fall so short of what Indian idealism has hoped foi, and in extreme circles demanded, that unrest and disaffection may jesu t. It is hardly likely that these opposite poles of opinion will in any way affect the provisions of the Bill as introduced, for. its mam principles have been so exhaustively discussed by all parties that its enactment should be largely a matter of form. It is safe to say that no great Imperial measure has ever been so carefully thought out, or such pains taken beforehand to ascertain the views of those affected. To the people of New Zealand this question of. political reform in India may seem somewhat remote. A little reflection will convince thoughtful people that it has a much closer interest for them. Out of this legislation will emerge a sister Dominion, vested with a laige measure of responsibility for its own political destiny. Upon the direction of present and future events will depend whether Indias family association with the British Commonwealth of Nations v.u be real, sincere, and permanent. An India disaffected and divorcer from the Imperial connection may seem an extreme and pessimistic idea, but it must be remembered that a relationship founded on association by conquest is about to give place to a relationship founc er on association by inclination. It will, depend greatly on. the success of the new Constitution in actual operation as to whether this inclination will be strengthened or weakened. An India out of the. Impel la circle would be a factor in the creation of vast Asiatic intrigues and unrest, and it is mainly with the object of retaining her within the circle that British policy has decided to. allow her to woik out hei own destiny under a system of supervision and guidance which as time goes on may be relaxed or strengthened as experience and cncumstances may suggest. , > i With the Bill as foundation it should be possible to build Dy easy stages a complete political structure in no essentials different from that of the other self-governing Dominions. It. is inevitable, that a people conceded a large instalment of political privileges and fieedom should seek to improve upon it in a direction natural to human aspiiutions allowed to function under democratic conditions, lhat eacn concession should lead to a demand for another is a familiar cxpei i.ence of all democratic systems. Hence it is quite expected that political progress in India will follow a similar course. Ihe mam thing, at present is that native India should be satisfied with the foundation provided in the Bill for safe and sound progress in the future, lhat appears to be the only uncertain thing about the new Constitution.