POLICY IN INDIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1922, Page 5

POLICY IN INDIA.

REASON FOR UNREST, ATTITUDE OF MINISTER. ATTACK IN THE COMMONS. By Telegraph.—-Press Assn —Copyright. Received Feb. 15, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 14. Tn the debate on the Address-in-Reply in the House of Commons, Sir W. Joyn-son-Hicks (Coalition-Unionist) moved the following amendment: “That the present unrest and unlawlessness in India is the direct result of the Secretary for State’s administration during the past three years.” He said that not long ago Mr. E. S. Montagu (Secretary for India) stated he was proud to call Ghandi his friend, but no good had been done by placating our enemies. We had sent the finest civil service to India, and Mr. Montagu had broken its heart. Mr. Rupert Gwynne, seconding the amendment, declared Mr. Montagu used all his influence on the side of the agitators and discouraged the loyal population. His continuance in office was a grave peril to Britain’s position in India. Mr. Montagu, replying to the attack, said his friendship for Ghandi ceased from the time the latter became the mischievous person he was to-day. Mr. Montagu frankly and freely admitted the grave situation in India, which was largely due to a steady growth of race consciousness, which had been going on for decades, and probably centuries. ' This race consciousness bad been eviidenced the world over since the war, i and it was impossible to keep the world in a watertight compartment. ECONOMIC TROUBLES. Another great cause of trouble was the world’s economic position. India was highly taxed and very poor and prices were very high. The remedy for the economic trouble was the development of industrial and agricultural resources, which was being rendered difficult by the disturbances. A further cause of unrest was the delay in arriving at peace with Turkey. He never claimed that India should dictate to us the peace with Turkey, but. Turkey was largely defeated by the help of Indian troops, and India was entitled to every consideration in regard ?o the ultimate peace. Bolshevik propaganda contributed to the unrest, but steps to counteract this had been most successful. On the political side they had dissatisfaction with the Government of India Act, but in the circumstances of its launching there was every reason to believe it was working well, and there was hope for the future. Mr. Montagu said he, personally, always adopted the principle that it was impossible fdr the Secretary for State to ensure law and order in India from London.

He denied that the Government exempted Ghandi from arrest. The Government of India a few days ago ordered Ghandi’s arrest, but Ghandi and his colleagues had since decided not to pursue civil disobedience and political activities, and the Government of India therefore postponed proceedings. The Government’s present policy was the maintenance of the integrity of the British Empire, coupled with the granting of opportunity for developing full selfgovernment in India. If the . Indian people were thinking we contemplated retreat from India, and issued a challenge they would find the challenge accepted by the most determined people in the world. BRITISH RULE TO STAY. Mr. Lloyd George, winding up the debate, said there was no cause for panic and we must not lose our sense of proportion. It was useless tracing the origin of the disturbances to something which occurred only two or three years ago. The great Western ideas of liberty had gradually become the ideals of the Indian people. The war had created unrest and disturbances in every land, and the firm hand of British rule alone prevented a catastrophe in India. It would be of enormous advantage if peace could he made with Turkey. Ix>rd Curzon, in the next few days, hoped to take up the matter with the Allies with a view to arranging a satisfactory peace. The Premier said the only way of dealing with the economic situation in India was to establish peace throughout the whole world by international effort and reconstruct trade. That was why an Indian representative had been invited to assist at Genoa. He did iK.t know whether critics of the G« niment suggested that the experiment of self-government should be scrapped. It ought to be made clear that we intended that the experiment should have every chance, but the experiment of the democratic government of India must be gradual, as it had been in Europe. “Under no circumstances or conditions do we propose to withdraw or impair the full sovereigntv of the KingEmperor,” added Mr. Lloyd George amidst cheers. “When Britain occupied India she accepted a great trust, and we could not divest ourselves therefrom without dishonor. There is nothing between India and confusion except British rule.”

Because they had not been given an opportunity of participating in the Indian debate till fifteen minutes before division time the Labor Party, as a protest, left the Chamber and did not vote. The amendment was defeated by 246 votes to 64, and the Address was agreed to.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.