BRITISH SUBJECTS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1928, Page 4

BRITISH SUBJECTS

EQUALITY OF TREATMENT. WELLINGTON, July 3. .Speaking to-day oil the relations between British people anti their fellow subjects of India, Sir Basil Blackett referred to- the need for social recognition of educated Indians as equals. Ho pointed out that millions of them nro descended from the same stock as ourselves, namely Aryan stock. “But the people vary ,ethnologically very greatly/' he continued, ‘‘anti it would ho more sensible to-./alk of a. European nation •than of an Indian nation.” Sir Basil Blackett, further to emphasise his point, said that there is an almost ineradicable tendency on the part of white people to- pattronise educated Indians. He said a native doctor of laws, the first woman barrister in Calcutta, was staying in London. Happening to attend the nearest church, she was visited by the local vicar several times. “I am so delighted to meet you,” said the vicar. “It is like coming home again.” “How is that?’.’ asked the astonished Indian lady. “Oh,”- replied .the vicar, “1 worked for years among the coolies in South Africa.”

“The Indian Prince whom you, know as Ranjisinhji,” said Sir Basil Blackett, “was staying not long ago' in Scotland. His host entrusted him to the head keeper. They went fishing. The head keeper had been instructed to treat the guest with all possible politeness. For a while it was ‘Your Highness’ this and ‘Your Highness’ that. A fish was hooked by the Prince. The keeper thought it had got away and he shouted: ‘ You have lost it, your dirty nigger. Prince Rangjitsinliji tells the story himself,” added Sir Basil. »

“Since the war,” added- Sir Basil, “some doubt has come over as"to our mission in India. We cannot remain in India to rule her by force. Wo are not doing our duty unless we help India to become a nation and to take her place in the family of nations. Many Indians want to rule their country, but they also want the British and the British soldiers to remain and keep order. IVe are therefore bound to- stay there whether we like it or net. We have a service to perform! loth to ourselves, and to the world.”