Explanation By An Official.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8809, 10 May 1907, Page 2

Explanation By An Official.

Melbouend, May. 10. Sir David Masson, member of the Puujaub Legislative Council, has arrived on a visit. Interviewed regarding the disturbances at Rawalpinidi and Lahore, he said that for years past the Government had been iu the habit of rewarding tho best educated Indiasns with an office of some sort. This caused all educated Indians to become office seekers, and to bo always pestering people for influence ou their behalf,-and those who fail to get office start agitations. Another cause of disturbance is the methods of self-ad-vertisement adopted by pleaders. The average Indian is never happier than when deep in a lawsuit, and pleaders are always seeking ; to ■ advertise themselves. If they can find a grievance of some sort they hurry out and harangue tho _ moh. The particular grievance seized ou by pleaders iu the Punjaub is one arising out of tho Bill passed last session. There are an enormous number of irrigation canals there, and the Canal Colony Bill rearranged the allotment of, land ou these canals. The thing had to he done, and caused some discontent, and pleaders seeing an excellent opportunity to boom themselves, have taken this as their text and endeavoured to inflame the people.