INDIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1916, Page 5

INDIA.

STATEMENTS BY VICEORY. THE NEW TAXATION; " ; Delhi, March 26\ Speeches daring the debate expressed regret at Lord Hardinge's forthcoming departure. "Lord Hardinge attributed the favorable reception of the new taxation to the fact that the burden* were fairly distributed and to the desire to help the Empire in a time of crisis. . '' FISCAL REFORMS. "s(e reiterated that the cotton 'duties Would be* reconsidered after the war in connection with the general fiscal policy of the Empire. He had been authorised to) make, in the name of the Imperial iSlye/nment, a promise of a broad reconsideration of the fiscal interests of India from a new angle of vision, which he thought would place the future posiilpn of the country much higher than it #ould Mye been by the single acceptance of the proposals of the Governpetit. RELATIONS SATISFACTORY. India's ' relations with Persia were most friendly. Persia was doing her utmost to suppress the machinations of •enemy bands. The Ameer of Afghaniajkn had' renewed neutrality. Except Mr certain Mahsud raiders, -who would presently receive drastic punishment, tranquility prevailed on the frontier. Except in Bengal, where there was a regrettable number of murders and dacoities, the internal situation could hjtfdly -be more. favorable, though the Government had ample evidence of the designs of the Germans to create trouble en the fallacy that India was disloyal *o the Empire. The loyalty and patriotism of India was beyond all praise. She had sent 300,000 soldiers overseas and had contributed over a million sterling for war material. MOVEMENT.

Referring to the movement for the self-government of India, he did not wish to discountenance a national ideal. It »« * perfectly legitimate aspiration and bad the .warm sympathy of all moderate men; but in the present position of India it was not idealism, but practical politics and practical solutions of the questions arising out of the special political conditions of the country that were needed. To raise extravagant hopes and to encourage unreasonable demands Wgiuld only tend to delay progress. No one was more desirous than himself of seeing the early realisation of the just s.nd legitimate aspirations of India, but he was equally desirous of avoiding the dagger of reaction from premature expectations . He advocated greater decentralisation and the delegation of more power to loo) governments. He felt sure the Governments of the dominions would approach the Indian emigration question in a broader and more generous Spirit than heretofore.