INDIA AND INDIANS.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 640, 10 June 1921, Page 10

INDIA AND INDIANS.

A MOTLEY RACE. STRONG CONTROL NECESSARY. WORK FOR MISSIONARIES. The present state of India—or at least the state of a typical division of that wide expanse of countrywith its range of climate extending from the burning heat of the tropical sun in the south, to the intense colds of the Himalayas in the north, and within these bounds as motley a mixture of races and of creeds as one cannot imagine—was the subject of a very interesting, instructive and most enlightening address delivered at St. David’s Presbyterian Church, Papatoetoe, on Sunday, June 5, by Miss A. E. Henderson, a missionary lady with a first hand knowledge of the country and the people about whom she spoke. Miss Henderson is known among those connected with the New Zealand Presbyterian Mission as an untiring worker, and she has returned to the Dominion for a year’s rest after ten years of difficult work among the races who people the Punjab district, which has an area almost as great as our own- island. She had her. headquarters at Jagadhri, m the Umballa division of this State. Miss Henderson says that the Nicholson mana is still potent, and she sees every need for a strongman to govern that interesting and difficult country. The mention of John Nicholson recalls the fact that a great struggle took place between Hindu and Mohammedan as to whose territory should hold the remains of that able man, who did so much to strengthen the foundation of the British Empire in India, and to upholu British prestige.

India SVever at reace. , Altogether Miss Henderson has spent about twenty-five years in India. the earlier part of that period in the Madrass Presidency, and latterly she has worked in the Punjab field. In the mission there are two doctors and five New Zealand women, and their work is largely connected with the schools and the hospital, which is maintained by the mission, with headquarters at Jagadhrl, in the Umballa district. The natives comprise Hindus, Jats, Rajputs, Sikhs, and Punjabis. The Mohammedans include Pathand and Rajputs. Miss Henderson is of opinion that India will never be entirely without trouble, what with the Bengalee and the Mahratta. There are innumerous religious sects, each “flying at the other’s throat every time there is a festival'” One will never acknowledge that the other is right, and even over the most trivial matters and finest points there is the same strong, hostile feeling. Powers of Viceroy Restricted. Ii the British left the country to herself there would be utmost chaos. The suggestion of self-government carries with it the proposal of Brahmin rule in the south and Mohammedan rule in the north. It was realised by the leaders of the natives that before there could he any united action there must be a unity of purpose—the people must be joined together by a religious bond common to all —and in Miss Henderson’s opinion there was nothing except Christianity that could bring them together. With the present sects in existence union was almost beyond conception. There was a whole conglomeration of nations in India, and that was where the difficulty lay. Miss Henderson is of opinon that it requires a strong Viceroy, who can hold ground against the India Office, f Ol w hen weak Viceroys take office, as in the case of the two appointments preceding Lord Reading, an understanding with Gandhi, who is leader of the non-co-operation party, is most unlikely. A Viceroy could do nothing when he was hampered by the countermanding of orders that were issued to him but a short time previously. A typical explanation, illustrating the truth of this assertion. is that when Mrs Besant’s papers published seditious matter during the war the Madras Government took drastic steps to stop such publication, hut they were over-rid-den in their decisions by the Home Government. If the Madras Government takes a step in that direction the India Office takes a step in the contrary direction, thus reversing decisions and making it useless for the Viceroy to attempt to do anything. Meed of British Control, There is .nothing for the position, despite tlie evident draw-hacks and apparent anomalies, hut to keep the British rule in existence. The majority of the people, that is the farmers and all engaged in agriculture, realise the foolishness in asking •for a change, in fact they are quite satisfied with the present Government and wish o support it. What would become of India if the British wit hdrew can easily he prophesied by one with even a small knowledge of Indian affairs. There would he waste

of blood, and conflicts, the memory cf which some hundred years ago kindles strong within the loyal Englishman the grim determination never again to let such bloodsheci occur among such helpless people. It is said that the revolutionary movement is not so widespread as it seems ; rumours of agitations which reach the ears of the outside world from time to time effect the heads chiefly and are scarcely more apparent to the great mass of people than a passing theunclerstorm. Gandhi takes his powers from his spotless reputation, and he holds great sway over the people* He is regarded as a Mahatma—those manganimous princes of by-gone ages. Hence he takes the name, Mahatma Gandhi. His standard of living is a fine example to those who hold him in such hjMi esteem. His diet is simple, and he takes not the smallest piece of money that is not his own. He is the sort of man the Indians adore and revere, and it appears highly probable that his name will he remembered ith ever-increasing .ever* ence by those who are descended fiom his people. He may, in future, be regarded with more respect than a Roman god.