VISITOR FROM INDIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 128, 4 May 1925, Page 4

VISITOR FROM INDIA

REV. R. T. EDWARDS’S VIEWS. NEW ZEALAND OF THE FUTURE. ‘ “New Zealand is literally'a. land of milk and honey” said Rev. T. R. Edwards, cf Southend, England, who visited Palmerston North during the week-end, when asked by a “Standard” reportej- on Saturday for Borne of Iris impressions of the Dominion. Mr Edwards has been in New Zealand since December last and has, sine* his arrival, been visiting the principal towns, while the wonders of Rotorua and tho thermal district have also been inspected. Of the cities, Mr Edwards preferred Christchurch, tho English appearance of tho "city of the plains” having a strong appeal, yliilo the residental quarter bordering the river Avon had, in the words of the visitor, been a “picture of delight. Judged by tho eyes of an elderly person, explained Mr Edwards, its flatness perhaps proved an advantage, yet Cashmere hills provided variety if such .were desired “You have a charming town here, added the visitor, “and I had the pleasure this morning of walking through your beautiful Esplanade, which is indeed a charming spot. I have been fortunate in the olimatio conditions since my arrival Mid, MM in »UMhiW, the . whole cwnIty blOPllt'Mp W*f • ' It poMtui all tie tt(§Md ior I'm W ing of a big nation in M ure > {or P il L wisely developing: alforefttotionaiid w futuro needs oi the .CQUfltoy il n . B direction, be well catered for. Referring to tho many strange sights to be viewed m the thermal distriot, Mr Edwards stated that, although seeing , them had given him great pleasure, he had been, noverthele**, glad to get away from such a neighbourhood. “While you possess such strung* features, you are happily free from noxious insects and reptiles, ’ he sard. CONDITIONS IN INDIA.

“It has been my fortune," continued Mr Edwards, “to have resided in India for some 32 years, and the climate #rid conditions there are vastly, different from -this beautiful country. Diseases axe plentiful there, while the climate is indeed trying t© the while man, and it was the effect of malaria which necessitated my undertaking this trip in tho hope that the long sea voyage would benefit me. Strangely enough, on tho voyage out, I had experienced excellent health until within a day’s sail of New Zealand when I was laid , low with a soyero bout of the old complaint.” A*ked by the reporter for some paruculars of his life in 'lndia, Mr Edwards stated that, while in that country, he had been Stationed at Sorpmphore, some lU miles frqrn Calcutta, It was at that po**}t» explained Mr Edwards, that the first mission station had been established by Dr. William Carey, assisted by Dr. Mnrshman and Mr Ward. In those early days tho fight to introduce the Scriptures hod bean an uphiU one, but the progress of thne had vastly altered affairs. ,Pr. Duff was the first Britisher to establish a college there, and, following the disruption of the Scottish ohuroh. he had built a second college at t)ie direction of the Free Church, his former institution being taken over by the General Assembly. To-day, the Scriptures were printed in thirty-two different languages for distribution among the natives of India, but the English language was freely spoken. The passing of the years had witnessed the addition of more colleges, while even there wero Indian colleges, taught by Indians, . who had passed through tho English universities. “Education,” continued Mr Edwards, “is pow available to all and the people are realising its However, it ha* one unfortunate effect, m that the majority of the students pas* through the colleges with a view to entering tho Civil Service, and the number hau .gi<?wn . eucji vast extent that positions cannot bo found for them and A good deal cf dissatisfaction and uqrest results. It has been urged that civil servico examinations bo held simultaneously in England and India, so as to perpit of the hone trainee entering direct into t)ie service, but such has been vetoed, it being ihe opinion of tho authorities that it is advisable- for the students to enter English or Scottish universities in order that they gain an insight- into the life and conditions of Great Britain.”

In reply to a question Mr Edwards said that he was of the opinion that India would always remain part of the Empire, but It was, nevertheless, anxious to nave self-government. While so much. English capital remained tied up in India tsuc-h freedom was discountenanced in many quarters, THE HOME LAND. Passing to conditions in ’the’ Home land, Mr Edwards spoke 'with disfavour of the dole system vvliich had been instituted to meet the wants' of the huge army of unemployed. “It has had t?« tendency to demoralise the people, 1 ’ added Mr Edwards, “with the result that many do not appear to seek work. The after war life of the people of Great Britain has been terrible ir. many respects, and it is a pity that more of the surplus population cannot find homes in this fair country. It was my experience, to accompany a large number of emigrant* on the v-syage out to New Zealand and, while many will make suitable settlors, there was an element present which was' far from desirable. The population Of the Old Country is on the irtereasa and ip any of the towns are steadily growing. Such a position is noticeable in m.v .parish of Eastwood, end the day is not far distant when the outlying areas of Southend will bb included in tne city itself.” , , Mr Edwards will leturn to England by the Ruahine, tho vessel which ho came out in, and, strangely enough, will again occupy the same cabin as He did on the outward jourjaey.