India

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 95, 28 March 1916, Page 2

India

THE BUDGET DEBATE. LOYALTY AND RESOURCES. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, ! “ VICEROY’S SENSIBLE SPEECH. United Phess Association. Delhi, March 2G. In the Budget dehate, members in their speeches expressed regret at Lord Hardinge’s forthooming departing. Lord Hardinge said lie attributed I the favorable reception of the new taxlation to the fact that the burdens had I been fairly distributed, and to a de[sire to help the Empire in a time of crisis. He reiterated his statement regarding the eotton duties, which would bo reconsidered after the war. [ln connection with the general fiscal j policy of the Empire, he had been authorised to make in the name of the I Imperial Government a promise that there would be a broad reconsideration of the fiscal interests of India from ■ the new Anglo vision, which lie j thought would place the future position of the country much higher than it would have been by the simple acceptance of the proposals of the Governmeut of India. India’s relations with Persia were most friendly,* Persia doing her utmost to suppress the mac-' lunations of bands of the enemy. The Amir of Afghanistan had renewed his royal word to observe a strict neutrality. Except for certain Malisnd raiders, who would (presently receive drastic punishment, tranquility on the frontier prevailed, except in Bengal, where a regrettable number of murders and ducoites had occurred. The internal situation could hardly be more favorable, though the Government had ample evidence of the, designs of Germans to create trouble on the fallacy that India was disloyal to the Empire. The loyalty and patriotism of India was beyond all praise. They bad sent three hundred thousand soldiers, and the Overseas had contributed over a million sterling and war material.

Referring to the movement for a self-governing India, Lord Hardinge did not wish to discountenance Hie national ideal. It was a perfectly legitimate aspiration and had the warm sympathy of all moderate men, but in the present position of India it was not idealism, but practical politicspractical solutions of questions arising out of the special political conditions ruling in the country—that were needed. To raise extravagant hopes and encourage unreliable demands, would only tend to delay. None was more desirous than himself to see the early realisation of the just aiid legitimate aspirations of India, but he was equally desirous of avoiding the danger of a reaction from (premature expectations. He advocated greater decentralisation. and the delegation of more power to local government. He felt sure the Dominion Governments would approach the Indian emigration question in a broader and more generous spirit than heretofore.