REAL LIFE OF A MAHARAJAH

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1928, Page 1

REAL LIFE OF A MAHARAJAH

(BY ONE OF THEM.) LONDON, June 12. The British belief' that Indian princes are fabulously wealthy potentates who sprinkle money round them —n belief that is being misused by Communists to undermine rule in India—was the subject of a statement made by the Afaharajah of Rajpipla yesterday. The Afaharajah of Rajpipla is one of the Indian princes who will form tlie delegation from the Chamber of Princes which is coming fo put their enso before the Indian States Committee. Declaring that no greater good could accrue from the conference than that the British public should know the Indian princes as they really are, ho said: AA r o in India know that the “Daily Afail” has the welfare of this great Empire deep at heart. I feel sure that tho “Daily Alail“ will send out the message that all patriotic Indians would wish them to issue. I have arrived. I am supposed to have 25 rooms that are embowered with the rarest roses, filled with the rarest scents, and decorated with the richest marbles and ivories, and to ho dressed in the most gorgeous raiment glittering with the most costly gems.

It is believed, because an otherwise well-meaning British manufacturer who supplies a £IOOO car to an Indian prince speaks of the £12,000 car that he has supplied. Let a prince order a favourite briar and it becomes a £2OO meerschaum. Let him cat a sandwich and it liecomes a meal of rare dishes served by mysteriously expert chefs. it is good advertising, but it is bad patriotism. I come over here to work tlie clock round. I scheme tc spend as little as possible. But the o-hl myth is trooped out, and India learns in time that I am making a rake’s progress.

Roses, scents, marbles and. ivories. That is what is said of all of us. No mention of the fact that I travel by London General Omnibus to save money. No mention of the fact that i go into a public-house and have .-. pint of bitter and sandwich. This is true. I study expenditure to this extent. And I have the reward of meeting many beautiful characters in consequence. I have a love of this country, and a love of the people in it, of its justice, fairness and methods, that will admit of no contradiction. Ave princes who strive and strive and strive to do our duty by our subjects and our Emperor find that the thoughtlessness of tho people \vc love- is our enemy. SAVING SHILLINGS.

J do not know a. Afaharajah on whom work is not making a merciless drain. ] do not know a Alaharajah who can K liod money in the way attributed to Indian princes. They have to weigh money before they spend. Alany of them actually do consider shillings. I have yet to meet the Maharajah who wants to be surrounded by marbles and silks and precious stones, or who would "lie comfortable surrounded in this way. Believe me, lie would he as uncomfortable as yon would he surrounded by ridiculously ornate Victorian furniture.

lam not pleading poverty. lam pleading enlightenment. There are Alahnrajahs who control millions. AVhat we control is not a personal fortune, but a reserve that will guarantee good education, good food, the health and well-being of our subjects. Enlightened princes have no surplus of money to waste. How very ridiculous the idea that we spend millions a year! lam sorry to have to spend thousands and that not on myself. Aly personal modest needs would not account for thousands.

The Alaharajali’s rooms at the hotel number five. His staff supposed to number 50, totalled two. The flowers iu the suite numbered one carnation which stood on a portable gramophone.