TWO PARTIES IN INDIA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1907, 26 November 1918, Page 4

TWO PARTIES IN INDIA.

The difficulties' which surround the proposals for (he reform'of the constitution of India are described by a correspondent of the Times. Two parties, he stales, dominate the discussion. The Moderates frankly and cordially accept the reform scheme as providing a fair working basis, though they naturally desire certain amendments. Whilst outwardly repudiating the rejection of the scheme, the Extremists qualify theiy acceptance by conditions which alter its character beyond recognition. Their altitude is dictated by the belief that if sufficiently obstructive they will succeed in forcing further changes in the constitution of the Government of India. Also, if they obstruct the passage of the scheme, they will secure better terms, if necessary, at the Peace Conference. The only remedy for this situation is for Parliament resolutely and expeditiously to proceed with its scheme for the development of the Indian Constitution so as to substitute some real responsibility for the unfettered erilieism which is the bane of Indian public life, for the present the situation is md free from progressive dangers. While the Moderates have almost a monopoly of talents and experience in public service, tin* Extremists have captured the young and enthusiastic. Their facile propaganda in the towns and villages -meets with littie effective antidote. The longer some measure of .responsibility is delayed the more irrational Indian polil ies become.