INDIA

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1916, Page 5

INDIA

INDENTURED LABOR, ITS ABOLITION URGED. 31 THE VICEROY. Delhi, March 21. In the Council, Lord llardinge, supporting a resolution in favor of the abolition of the system of Indian indentured labor, said that the feeling against the sysetiu was intensified yearly. He announced that the Secretary for State agreed with the policy of its eventual abolition, but the* existing system must he maintained till the new conditions were worked out in conjunction with the Colonial Office and the Crown colonies concerned. He was conlident that India would accept the promise in a reasonable and generous spirit, with due regard to important interests in the colonies. Marked improvements in the conditions had been made, and other progress toward the realisation of the project had taken place. It was a source of deep personal satisfaction to him that as one of his last official acts he was able to announce that Indians desiring to work as laborers in tropical climates might do so under happier conditions, and to have obtained from the Imperial (lovermucnl. a promise that,- in due course, the system which educated opinion in India regarded as an intolerable stigma would be abolished. Indian members expressed appreciation. DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIES. A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. Received March 22, 9.3.3 p.m. Delhi.. March 22. In the Legislative Council Sir Ebrahin r.o.himtoolah moved the appointment of a committee to consider the development of Indian industries. He urged the desirability of fiscal independence with a policy of protection. Sir W. Clark announced that the Government was appointing a commission, including leading Indian industrialists, with the object of examining the possibilities of the State and the improvement of industries. The commission would idart work at Simla almost immediately, but its inquiries would exclude a protectionist policy and constitutional issues.