The Daily News. FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1922. IMPERIAL BROTHERHOOD.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1922. IMPERIAL BROTHERHOOD.

The presence of the Right Hon. Srinivasa Sastri in New Zealand is the result of a mission he has undertaken to this and other Dominions of the Empire for the purpose of pleading for equality of status of the Indians settled in the Dominions, It will be noticed that, at the luncheon tendered to him by the Government at Wellington on Tuesday, our distinguished visitor referred to the probability of a clash, “for ends we might not be able to discern, between the East and the West, perhaps at no distant date, and it was the duty of everyone to minimise, if not altogether -to avert, that clash,” by means of the influence of the British Empire. It is somewhat remarkable that Mr. Sastri should state that. “India was anxious to take her place in the Empire.” the inference being that he considers India has not already become part and parcel of that Empire, whereas she stands out as a bright jewel in the Imperial Crown, and though officially designated as an Empire within an Empire. India is still just as much part of the British Empire as New Zealand. It is quite true that the form of government differs, but the connecting link is practically identical. It has to be admitted that Mr. Sastri .could not elaborate his plea for equality of status unless he adopted the l , line he has taken, namely, that India, although anxious to take her place in the Empire, cannot do so until her demands for equal status “are sympathetically considered by the white people of the Empire. ’ If Mr. Sastri means that there must be granted to India the same absolute home rule that is enjoyed by the Dominions, then it is clear that the matter does not rest with the white people of the Empire, but with the Imperial Government, which has to consider the vital question as to whether the millions in India are qualified to rule themselves, or whether they would -not speedily, under such autonomy. he at the mercy of agitators seeking their own ends, or of neighboring nations bent on raiding and looting. There is no room for doubt as to Mr. Sastri being animated by singleness of purpose in pressing the demands for his countrymen, not only for equal status, but also for equal rights with the other units of the Empire, and all due allowance must be made for the forceful nature of his statements. Like all Indians with a purpose, he is only too zealous, almost militant. It is quite certain that the fear of a clash between East and West will not affect the sentiments of the Dominions towards any just, claims India may advance, nor can the people of India be bribed into being kept loyal and safe within the Empire by the grant of equal Status. It. is worthy of note that Mr. Sastri. on the eve of his departure from India on his present mission, was the guest of the Viceroy at. Simla, and received a hearty sendoff. Speaking on that occasion,

the Viceroy declared that in the prosecution of his mission, Mr. Sastri had the fullest support of the Government of India nehind him, and expressed the hone that substantial results would follow the visit to the Dominions. Evidently His Excellency referred to the question of the Dominions opening their doors freely to all Indians, just the same as if there was no racial or color difference—that Indians might, for example, enter Australia as if they were New Zealanders, or vice versa. Theoretically they should have equal status and privileges with the rest of the Dominions, yet there are manifest reasons why each Dominion should decide for itself which people may be admitted and which excluded. Unhappily the attitude of a section of Indian leaders at the present, time is not conducive to evoking sympathy. When replying, at the Simla banquet, Mr. Sastri said: ‘‘The people of India had no faith in the intentions and declarations of the British Government. There was nothing so tragic in the whole history of India as the complete wreck of confidence in the Government. This it was the duty of every administrator to rebuild by a scrupulous manifestation of liberality and progressiveness.” There may be a certain amount of truth in this sketch of Indian attitude towards the Government, but British statesmen, as well as those in the Dominions, have to be guided by solid factors as well as sentiment. At heart the Dominions may be with Mr. Sastri, but none the less will it be necessary to closely examine his claims and apply thereto the test of the general welfare of the Dominions, before arriving at any decision or making any promises.