THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1907. THE UNREST IN INDIA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8438, 9 May 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1907. THE UNREST IN INDIA.

The recent cable news of the unrest in India is likely to create a feeling somewhat approaching alarm in the minds of all who have been watching ..the course of events in. that country. "The incident at Lahore a few days ago, and the reported secret arming of Mussulmans and Hindus, may be, and probably are, only tiny bubbles on the surface. But, nevertheless, they are symptoms of a grave state of unrest in India. The authorities do not deny that there is restlessness amoner a large number of natives of all creeds and castes, but they profess to make light of it. much as they may belittle the importance of the movementhoping thereby to lull anxiety—we may be sure they are well aware of the real seriousness and significance of this, unrest;, and are giving.it their close and most earnest attention. The most perplexing feature *of the situation is the fact that it is impossible to get even a glimpse of what lies at the back of the native mind. Britain has governed India for, one hundre'd and fifty years, but has not yet succeeded in winning the confidence, or the gratitude of the whole of the people, even though inestimable blessings have been conferred [on its millions. They are still divided from us by a deep and wide chasm. Notwithstanding what we have done for these hundreds of millions of human beings, our position in India to-day depends—as it always has done—solely and entirely on our ability to crush the life out of any to oust us from our place. India has been ruled with a mild and benevolent despotism, and her immense population has been

given peace, justice, and security,, Law and order are enforced throughout : the land without fear or favour. The rights of the poor man have been protected, and the powers of the great princes curbed. But in spite of all this, it is questionable whether a single tribe or regiment in India could be depended on to assist us in a great crisis. It is useless to enquire why this should be so. The fact remains, whatever the explanation—whether it is due to race or to colour, or to brain convultions—and it is a fact which'gives all native gmovements in India their deepest importance.

UTILIZATION OF WATER POWER.

Speaking to a reporter at Christ:hurch, a few days ago, the ActingPremier (the Hon. W. Hall-Jones) said that the Government had found that the cost of carrying out a general scheme for the utilization if water power, for generating electricity for use ill the various centres in the colony, was so great that no satisfactory system could be devised without, a special loan being first authorised for the purpose. The ordinary revenue of the colony could not bear such an enormous expenditure as would be involved in a work of such magnitude. It would have to be carried out thoroughly when started, and made productive within as short a time as possible. Last session £53„000 had been voted for the purpose, but »tbe Government had not drawn- lately on the vote. All information relating' to the cost of plant and surveys was now in the possession of the Government. A PROGRESSIVE RANK. The Bp:'c of New Souih Wales proposes to increase the paid-up cpito) from £2,000,000 to £2.500.000 by! the creation of 25,000 new shares of ! £2O each, to be ksjcd to the pr>sc :t proprietors at par.. One-fourth of the shares allotted are to be paid for on each of the following dates:—July Ist, September 30tb, and December 31st, 1907, and March 31st, 1903, and the .r- i :;3 jiv.id I J:- .will be entitled *j picroitkMacely in the cww. hal'-year's dividend. FM"C3 noi appHod for will be sold, svia >.y ~,r;-J3 o/er £2O will ace je to bolder of old shares itoai vVJiiCh sj'h shares have been derived. The terms of the issue are exceedingly liberal, especially when it is considered that a month ago the current quotation for the old shares was £soi to £so|. As the reserve fund of.the Bank of New South Wales is now £1,475,000, the shareholders' funds by the completion of,, the payment for the new issue will be £3,975,000, plus any further additions that may 'be made from profits. Commenting upon this action, the Australasian Insurance and Banking Record remarks: "The action of the Bank is- generally approved, in the first place as sound finance to increase the capital collaterally with increasing liabilities in respect to deposits, etc., and in the second place as affording a suitable methdd of enabling shareholders to participate in the increased profits of recent years."