Problem of India.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1922, Page 3

Problem of India.

DOMINION'S AND COI.OII BAH. iI'KTHAUAN A NT. N.Z. CAIII.F ASSOCIATION. LONDON. Oit ‘Mi. Tlio Colonial Institute tendered a luncheon to Mr Snstri, the Indinn envoi who Inis just toured the Empire. Air I.agdcn. in proposing Mr SasU’i's heiiltli, referred to “the reinarhuhh' sucess of liis Empire Mission.” Air S'astri said 1m believed hi s mission to the Dominieus had helped to bring into vivid actuality a !:ri'-l< - ground of mutual understanding and goodwill sue!) as was necessary to the 1 introduction of measures to ameliorate the lot of the Indians domiciled m the Dominions, lie did ml expect any | immediate fulfilment of his mission, j Me had hoped merely to lay the foun- j dations of a pood understanding between India and the Dominions. He believed that he had achieved ; measure of success in that direction, lie found < that what often was described as pro- i jiulice apainst the Indians was not so nitu-lt j>rtjndice their race am' colour as an apprehension that the unrestricted advent of Indians to the Dominions might reduce the wages and the standard of living and might even affect the quality of their civilisation, which the Dominions were anxious to preserve. Everywhere in the Domin- j ions, the Kinpire was cherished w iL 1 1 i a warmth and affection inij rceedcnted j in history. Mis appeal to Don ution* for equality of citizenship for the In-I dians had met a willing tar. it was j fairly certain that it would not he long before the legislation he had sought wpuld he passed. Deferring to Indian position in the Krnpire, he said that all doubt and j hesitancy regarding the desna’ ility of j maintaining the imperial irmuvtiyn j must he eliminated at the earliest j moment. British rule must he main- j tnined before all considerations. It j was the duty of British statesmen to j terminate, as soon as pos-ilde. the try- j ing period of Uaiisitimi. and to fill- i til their promises cl responsible govern-, inent for India.