INDIAN UNREST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 January 1931, Page 4

INDIAN UNREST

“IN NO MAY ALARMING’’ ATTITUDE OE PEOPLE WOMEN’S INFLUENCE GROWING Developments in India are in no way alarming; they arc, merely the results of progress, and of a feeling towards national indiviuunlity, said LieutenantColonel R. F. S. Beyts. a retired Indian army officer in civil employ who arrived in Auckland by the Niagara, He is on a world tour.

Under the good government of Great Britain, which good government all educated Indians realised tlie country had advanced far enough to bo allowed to set her own house in order under the. control of Great Britain, said Colonel Beyls. Tlie last proviso was an absolutely necessity, as was realised b' T even. Gandhi, tlie whost wholehearted of nationalists. It was true, lie admitted that, the path of India was not one strewn with roses; but in a great country of many races and creeds was that not inevitable? Tim so-called patriots, who were responsible for the strife, wore impairing the progress of their countrv. but in spite of I hem advance was assured, as was equally the co-operation of her great men—and women.

WOMEN A rOTENT FACTOR.

The entry of women into the stage of public life was significant. That would never have been permitted 20 years ago, when women were allowed no intercourse with men. Now they went unveiled and made speeches from public platforms. They were a potent factor, because "they represented tlie home. As mother's, as wives, as comrades, they appealed and they were not appealing in vain. The “home” vote spoke with no mean voice. The result of the advent of women was obviously far-reaching, and the end was not yet in sight. Moreover, the women did represent the opinion of the masses of their “sisters” for whom they claimed to speak. He thought that the education system in India could with advantage undergo a change. There was too much higher education, exotic learning, and not enough men trained to do the spare work. What was necessary, ho considered, was compulsory primary technical and agricultural teaching. Let tlioso who had in the future definite prospects of a suitable appointment go to England and to the English Universities. Briefly tlie idea of the round table conference was a confederation of States, something akin to the Australian system—though the comparison could not be pressed too far—and for that reason he though that Burma should he freed. While such a federation would lessen the number of Englishmen in administrative posts, the responsibility of those remaining would be just as great.