INDIAN AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3400, 3 February 1920, Page 5

INDIAN AFFAIRS.

SPEECH BY THE VICEROY.

IMPROVED ECONOMIC CO.\r. DITIONS.

’ SOME MATTERS TO CAUSE I ANXIETY. l DELHI, Jan. 30. F The Viceroy, at the opening of the Legislative Council, Said EGIIQTHI ‘economic conditions, compared with ‘the crisis of last year, had greatll’ llimproved. Regarding the position of Indians in Fiji and British Guiana, he lsuggested that a committee of nonoflicial Indian memtbers meet deputat.ions from those colonies, and that the Government be guided by their finding. Deal-ing with the position in the Middle East and the Bolshevik movement ,the Viceroy said that while he had no wish to minimise the ‘dangers, he was confident things were ‘not so bad as represented. The real ldanger of Bolshevism in India was lpenetration by propaganda and secret lagitautors. This was being carefully watched. The position with Afghanistan was the same as in September. It was idle to enter into a treaty of friendship until Afghanistan gave proof that it would not be a mere piece of paper. He hoped the frontier tribes would be subdued before long. With plenty of reinforcements available, General Cluno was! steadily straightening the position! out. Alluding to the turmoil in Rus-I sia, the Viceroy expressed confidence‘ that the people of India would never‘ hear-ken to the doctrines of murder.‘ and anarchy. He saw no grounds forl pessimism in India. _

INDIAN MOSLEMS. PROTEST AGAINST PEACE _ TERMS. DELHI,‘Jan. 27. An influential deputation of Mussulmans and Hindns interviewed the Viceroy in reference to the Khalifate, and Ibesought the Imperial Government not to underrate the value of Islamic friendship and Indian loyalty. The Viceroy, replying, pointed out that the views of the Indian Moslems were placed before the Paris Conference by the Indian representatives. The Viceroy reaffirmed that the Khalfate was a question for Mohammedi ans alone, but he feared the deputations’ contention for the preservation of the full integrity and sovereignty of Turkey might not be recognised by the Allies

The deputation subsequently issued a statement declaring thatthe peace terms were unfavourable to the Moslem religion, would place an'undue strain on Moslem loyalty, and demandin:_.:‘ that the holy places of Islam should remain under the Khalif, subject to guarantees for the self;);oVGl‘nlllent of Arabia.

INDIA’S CURRENCY.

GOVERNMENTS NEW POLICY.

i LONDON, Feb. 1. It The India Office announced the acceptance of the Departmental comsmittee’s recommendations as the goal ,\‘-70 which the Indian currency policy ishould be directed. Accordingly the {lndian Government will henceforth {buy gold from private importers at {the ratio of ten rupees to the soverleign, but owing to the present, high [commercial price of gold in India, and {the necessity of avonding shock in :lndia's economic and monetary sysltem, adjustment of the nefv condi-4 ’tions must be gradual, and therefore’ :.the sovereign will provisionally ro-, imain legal tender throughout India,‘ at the present fixed ration of fifteen» rupees. I ALLAHABAD, Feb. 1. The Indian Currency Committee! has recommended that the rupee be established at 2/. The prohibition of’ the import and export of silver and, gold has ‘been removed.

EXTENSION OF PEACE. . BOLSHEVIKS AND ESTHONLANS4 Received 11.55 am. . LONDON, Jan. 30. The Bolsheviks and Esthonians have‘ signed peace at Dorpot. '