FUTURE OF INDIA

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1929, Page 5

FUTURE OF INDIA

A TIME OF .CRISIS.

A AIISSIONARY’Sc VIEWS.

CHRISTCHURCH, November 13

The conviction that the present is a time of crisis in the’ British Empire’s administration* of Indian affairs was expressed last; evening by the Rev. H. W. Newell, late of Coimbatore, in the Madras Presidency, who is now on a visit to Christcnurch. The Indian people, he said, distrusted the Government’s promise of , self-government. For the first time -in Indian history a Party had arisen which demanded complete independence, although its leaders were contenting themselves for the present with a claim [for .Dominion status. It must be remembered, however, that the bulk of the population lived in and were; concerned only with their own daily., life The Indian people were becoming more and more anxious for. Dominion status, as for a long time past they had had a large measure of, self-government in lbcal affairs, municipal,. Councils, and district, boards being elected by the people.. All this had been fairly well done, and, in addition, under the Mon-tagu-Chelmsford reform scheme, certain departments of provincial government were conducted by representatives chosen by the. people, The report of the* Simon • Commission was being eagerly awaited. Mr Newell’s opinion was that education would count largely. in preparing the people for self-government. Secular education had, been the only kind so far, and scientific: teaching did much to undermine the beliefs of the people. Tile Christian Church was rapidly growing in India, and Christian planners of thought and living were developing.

There was no need for anxiety in regard to the future of India. Understanding and patience on both sidep, would go a long way to make things happier, and there was really -no alternative to the continuance of British rule. The co-operation of the Dominions, and particularly that •of South Africa, was necessary. ~ = . Mr-Newell is at. present,; visiting Christchurch in ' connexion with the annual meeting of the London Missionary Society, in order to keep the Congregational Churches, and others, informed of the progress of the work of the society in India. .He has been-connect-ed with higher _ education in India for fourteen years, first as principal of the Missionary High School at . Benares, and latterly at Coimbatore, in the Madras Presidency.