THE HUNTER REPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1920, Page 3

THE HUNTER REPORT

DISCUSSED IN COMMONS. By Electric Telegraph—ConyriglH. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 9. In the Commons the greatest interest was manifested in the debate on tile Hunter report and the ease of General Dyer. The House was crowded and excited when Hon. Montagu rose to move a vote of £53,500 as a- contribution for the cost of Department of the Secretary of State for India and Council. Hon. lAfontagu depreciated the criticism of the personnel of the Hunter Committee, resenting emphatically the criticism already offer ed. Proceeding Hon. Montagu declared General Dyer acted during the Punjab riots on the theory of terrorism and subordination. Dyer by the the theory that lie intended to teach the whole Junjab a moral lesson, embarked on terrorism to which- there was no end. Hon. Montagu describe the flogging orders as sheer frightfulness, and ask ed whether Britain was -going to keen a hold oil India by terrorism, racial humiliation and frightfulness or by the growing goodwill- of the people of the Indian Empire. Tt was no use passing a great Act of Parliament, which proceeded on the principle of partnership for India, in the British Commonwealth, and then to allow the administration to depend on terrorism. India is on your side in enforcing order, are you on India’s side in ensuring order enforced with the maintenance of love of liberty of British democracy. Hon Montagu pointed out thirty seven instances of -firing in the last year’s disturbances. Government up pro vied of thirty-six and only censured one, because it infringed the princibles oil which the Indian empire was built.

Amid considerable dissent, Hon. Montagu declared there was a theory abroad amongst the critics of Government, that an Indian was only tolerable. so long -as lie- obeyed orders and that if once lie became educated lie was to be classed as an agitator. Concluding Hon. Montagu asked whether the theory of rule in India was racial ascendency, domination, subordination or partnership. If the former then i j followed that the sword must he useed with increasing severity, until Britain was driven out of the country by the opinion of the civilized world. Ihe choice of the House was fundamental to a continuance of the British Em pi re and the connection between Bm tain and India. Sir Edward Carson considered Hon. Montagu’s argument irrevelent and urged the House to he fair to a gallant officer of thirtyfour years service without blemish. He asked whether General Dyer would receive, fair trial before being broken and sent into disgrace. The motion to reduce the estimates was defeated.