The Daily News. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1921. INDIA’S NEW CONSTITUTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1921. INDIA’S NEW CONSTITUTION.

Under the Government of India Act, 1919, the foundations oi a new constitution for India, designed to set that portion of the Empire upon the road to self-govern-ment, were laid down, and the Duke of Connaught is now engaged upon the task of inaugurating the new Indian Legislatures. The scheme was well received by Indian political leaders, with the exception of one wing of the Home Rule for India party, led by Mr. Gandhi, a Hindu political chief, who has been conducting a strenuous campaign, especially among the Mohammedans, with the object of bringing about a combination of all Indians against co-op-eration with the Government, the result of which is seen in the boycott at Delhi and elsewhere against the Duke’s reception. Al-i though Gandhi’s campaign is based on passive resistance and is mainly supported by extremists, it is none the less regarded with some anxiety owing to the possibility of its being fanned into a flame by the accident of a moment. At the same time, when it is seen that the new Constitution is actually at work and the natives are taking part in the Legislature, the effect of the powerful plea, voiced by the Duke of Connaught, to “bury the mistakes and misunderstandings of the past, forgive where they had to forgive, join hands, and work together to realise the hopes that arise from to-day,” may produce a new spirit of conciliation and tolerance to mark the dawn of a new era for India. In common with the rest of the world. India has experienced many diffi cutties since the Armistice, includ ing serious unrest among the laboring classes, but it is hoped the creation of Industrial Boards will lead to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the future. The agitator in India is probably a greater curse than in other parts of the world, owing to the naturally fiery temperament of the people, and to the intensity of class bitterness and religious fanaticism. The natives are easily swayed in the wrong direction, yet they ecu be iaxal to the eore whea

oned by pernicious doctrines or Bolshevik propaganda. In the light furnished by the- history of India, and the knowledge gained of the people themselves, the granting of a new Constitution was a courageous step, and the development of self-government will be wlitched with the greatest interest. There is to be a central government consisting of the Viceroy and Ins Executive Council, a Legislature of two Chambers—a Council of State of thirty-three elected and twenty-seven nominated members (of whom not more than twenty will be officials); a Legislative Assembly of 103 elected and 41 nominated members, of whom 26 will be officials, the two Chambers, in joint sitting, deciding all differences of opinion. There will also be eight Governors’ Provinces, each with a Governor and Executive Council, also a Legislative Council of nominated and elected members. The franchise is restricted to males over twenty-one years of age possessing certain property qualifications on a taxation basis, the standard being sufficiently low to give a vote to small cultivators and many uflban wage earners. To the central government belongs authority over such matters as defence, railways, and tariffs, while kthe provincial governments will administer provincial matters. The King’s message, read at the 'inauguration of the Council of State at Delhi, struck just the right note in stating: “Upon you lies the duty to convince the world of the wisdom of this great constitutional change, and to work for the interests and upliftment of the millions of your fellow-country-men who are not yet qualified for a share in political life.” If the people of India are to work out their own salvation in such a way as to ensure peace, prosperity, and contentment, then it is imperative that they shall accept their new responsibilities in the right spirit do their utmost to promote unity of purpose, and be actuated by a resolute determination to build successfully on the foundation which the Duke of Connaught is now laying, so that the edifice of self-government may gro_w year by year until it reaches the completeness which it has attained in New Zealand and other Dominions of the Empire.