WHAT ABOUT INDIA?

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1918, Page 6

WHAT ABOUT INDIA?

To the Editor. Sir, —Tim present world war is described as a war for freedom, the rights of small nations to live out their destinies untramelled by outside dominance of other nations. "The glorirous 4th" celebrates 1770, when our American cousins determined that without representation there should be no taxation, hence the declaration of American independence. To-day the American people have thrown the bitterness of that struggle for independence into the limbo of the past, and are no.v rolling up in their millions to the aid of the old stock who gave them birth. One cannot help pausing and casting a thought of admiration for their gallantry, and one feels the ''crimson thread of kinship' is more than a mere phrase. Another thought comes, and that is, What about the decimation of that race which has done«so much for progress? Are we not taking too great a toll of the white race? It is said this Dominion is sending a tenth or more of her population. Can she afford it? I

know to hint or question such is considered by some to be unpatriotic, they declaring for the last man and the last shilling. Great Britain has one eighth or more of her population under arms. It is aot good business to drain Great Britain, New Zealand and Canada, or even tap America whilst we have our Indian Empire ot 320 millions. From that vast population only about one million men have been drawn, and a smalt number of volunteers for home service in India. Many people say, wliy is it we are so sparing of the Indian population? Are they not to be trusted? Observe what British statesmen say of their quality. Lord Derby, in the House of Lords, testified to the great bravery of the Indian cavalry in the Cambrai affair, and further, the Guards Division made that particular regiment a present of plate as a memento of their appreciation,. Mr. Austin Chamberlain, Lord Hardinge and Sir Douglas Haig have also expressed high appreciation,. Now, why are they sot called up in divisions of such serviceable men, instead ot bleeding the Homeland and depleting our Dominion oi Second Division men' Firstly, because an Indian army could not be officered by Britishers —there's not enough to go round. But this could be overcome by granting commissions to Indians instead of retaining them as privileges for the British,. Secondly, if Indians were allowed as a nation to tnlist and fight for the freedom of smaller nations, the* would certainly demand—like our American cousins—a slice of ireedom for themselves. At present Indians have only a negligible minority on executive councils. India is now demanding 12 assurance of Home Rule within the Empire at the termination of the war. And this would mean the Indian civil service would no longer Remain a preserve for the British well- | to-do classes (appointed at Home), for the Indian civil Service is the highest paid in the world, whilst its people are of the poorest. It is certainly not right to take their fighters unless we are prepared to give in return,. At the recent Indian National Congress, the president declared that ten million volunteers could be obtained in India Iwere a favorable opportunity given. Nor does India, expect Home Rule with all its political machlinery (instantly. According to the president of the Congress, she is prepared to take home rule by instalments as the people are able to absorb samo. Sir, can we not arouse the lovers of freedom in our Dominions to voice the claims of India? While speaking so glibly of the rights of small nations to govern themselves and work out their own destiny, arc we acting justly in keeping silent whilst our fellow subjects in India are prepared to give the quid pro quo, even the supreme sacrifice for freedom within the Empire of their beloved land?—l am, etc., J. H. FORD. Stratford, 4th July.