INDIAN UNREST.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1922, Page 3

INDIAN UNREST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

J INDIAN CRISIS. LONDON, Feb. 14. Mr Johnson Hicks, in the debate on m the Address-in-Reply in the House of Commons, moved an amendment atom ing- “That the present unrest and lawlessness in India, in the opinion of the House, is the direct result of the Secretary of State for India’s admims- ■ tration during the past three years.’ The mover said that not long ago the Secretary Mr. Montague, had stated that he was proud to call Dr Ghandi h.s f l ' friend. No good, said Mr Hicks, had been done by placating their enemies in India.. They had sent a very fine civil service to India, but Mr Montague had broken its heart. Mr Rupert Gwynne seconded the amendment. He declared that Mr Montague had .used all his influence on the side of National agitators, and had discouraged the loyal population. His continuance in office was a grave peril to .Britain's position'in India.

INDIAN SECRETARY’S REPLY. LONDON, Feb. 14. In the House of Commons, Mr Montagu (Secretary for India), replying to Mr Johnson Hicks’ attack, said:— “His friendship for Dr Gandhi (Indian Nationalist Leader) had ceased from the time that the latter became the mischievous person that he was to-day. Mr Montagu said he frankly and freely admitted that it was a grave situation now r in India., which, however, was large ' ly due, to the steady growth of Indian race consciousness, which has been going on for a decade past, and probably for centuries. This race consciousness had been evidenced throughout the world ever since the war. It was impossible to keep the world in watertight compartments. Another great cause of the trouble was the development of the industrial and the agricultural resources of India, which was being rendered difficult by the disturbances. A further cause of the unrest was the delay in arriving at a peace with Turkey. He had never claimed, he said, that India should: dictate to the British the terms of the peace with Turkey, but Turkey had largely been defeated by the help, of Indian troops. India f was entitled to every consideration in regard to ultimate peace. He said that Bolshevist propaganda had contributed to the unrest, but the step taken to counteract this had been most successful. On the political side, they had dissatisfaction with me Government of India Act, but, in the circumstances of its launching, there was every reason to believe that it was working well, and there was hope for the future. Mr Montague said that be personal- j ly Had always ..adopted the principle l that, it was impossible for the Secre- ( tary' of State for India to ensure law ( and order in India, from London. He . denied that the Government had ex-! empted Dr Gandhi from arrest. The j Government of India, had a few days ordered Dr Gandhi’s arrest, but Dr Ghandi and his colleagues bad since ! ’ 7v ' decided not to pursue the policy of , civil disobedience and 'their political activities. The Government of India, I therefore, had postponed proceedings. The Government’s present policy, he j said, was the maintenance of the in- ' tegrity of the British Empire coupled with the grant of an opportunity for developing full self government in India. j “If.” he added, “the Indian people ; are thinking that we contemplate a retreat from India, and issue to us a challenge, they will find tht challenge accepted by the most determined people in the world.” j

NO CAUSE FOR PANIC. LONDON, February 14. In the House of Commons Mr Llovd George wound up the India debate. He said: ‘'There is no cause for panic We must not lose our sense of proportion.” It was useless tracing the origin of the disturbances in India to something which occurred only two or three years ago. The great Western principles of liberty had gradually become the ideals of the Indian people. The war had created unrest and disturbances in every land. The firm hand of British rule alone prevented a catastrophe in India. It would be of enormous advantage if peace oould be "" made with Turkey. He said Lord Curzon, in the next few days hoped to take up the matter with the Allies, with a view to arranging a satisfactory peace. The only way of dealing with the economic situation in India was td establish peace throughout the whole world, and by an international ef fort reconstruct trade. That was why Indian representatives had been invited tb assist at 'the Genoa 'Conference.

He did not know whether the critics of the Government suggested that the experiment of self-government in India should be scrapped. It ought to be made dear that we intended this experiment should have every chance, but the experiment of democratic Govern, ment of India must be gradual, a.s it had been in Europe. Under no circumstanoes or conditions do we propose to withdraw or to impair tho full sovereignty of the King and Emperor of India. (Cheers). When Britain occitjpied India, she accepted a great trust. We could not divest ourselves therefrom without dishonour. There was nothing between India and confusion except British rule. Mr Hick’s amendment was defeated by 246 votes to 64. v The Address-in-Reply wa fi then agreed to.