AGITATION IN INDIA

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1931, Page 6

AGITATION IN INDIA

DISLIKE OF EUROPEANS. “Undoubtedly there will be further trouble in India,” said Mr I. 13. Wilson, who arrived at Auckland by the the Narbada from Calcutta. The sou of an army officer, Mr Wilson has livej in Calcutta all his life, and he recently retired after 33 years’ service in the port commissioner’s office. With his wife and two daughters, Mr Wilson, intends to settle in Auckland. “Gandhi’s influence is increasing and is surely leading up to trouble,’’ said Mr Wilson. Mr J. M. Sen Gupta, formerly Mayo r of Calcutta, was an out and out Republican, although lie had married a woman from the Motherland, said Mr Wilson. Mr S. E. Boise was another of Gandhi’s lieutenants, who had considerable influence among the dissatisfied natives. Both these men had served terms of imprisonment for offences which really amounted to sedition. Conditions in Calcutta at the time

| Mi Wilson sailed were comparatively I quiet. There was a lot of unrest, but wiiat rioting there was, w»s not serious. Since the British Government had opened up important positions in the Civil Services to Indians the Mohammedans and Hindus had become very jealous of each other, with a result that the Government had been forced to ration the positions. “Tlmro iis much hatred against i Europeans, and the Indians are openly rude to them,” .said Mr Wilson. English-manufactured cloths, although cheaper and of a- better quality than those made locally, had been hoveotted, and it was a common sight to see a native stretched across the doorway of a shop that was selling the English article, in order to obstruct customers. The natives had also boycotted English bus services, and one big English company that had been established many years, was now running only one service. Yet the privatelv-owned Indian buses were uncomfortable to ride in, and dirty. “There are some places in Calcutta where I would not care to risk my fife,” Mr Wilson said. It was not that the Indians were prejudiced against him personally, but wore extremely hostile to all Europeans. ()u one occasion Mr Wilson was driving in his motor car in the native quarter when lie met a procession of Gandhi supporters. He asked a policeman if Jt would be right for him to remain, an ( j was told that it would. Although lie was not harmed he was loudly jeered at, and for a time lie feared that the natives would damage his car. They thronged round the ear, waving long st'chs, the women being particularly Hostile. The change in the attitude of the Indians towards the Europeans dated batik 10 years and it was becoming more pronounced daily. Tn the past Indian officials had been addressed as “Babu.” meaning “Sir,” but now most of them insisted on being called “Air.”

“Wo heard on the wireless the other night that Gandhi had been asked if bp would wear European clothes if he wont to confer with King George, and that he had replied that he would not.” Mr Wdcon srdd.