UNREST IN INDIA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3075, 21 December 1908, Page 5

UNREST IN INDIA.

PROPOSED REFORMS. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. ENLARGED LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS. LOCAL ADMINISTRATION TO BE ENCOURAGED. LONDON, December 18. Mr T. R. Buchanan, in bis statement in the House of Commons regarding India, explained that it was not intended to establish advisory councils, imperial or provincial, as their functions would be better discharged by enlarged Legislative Councils. The enlargement of such councils and the extension of their functions to the discussion of administrative questions wera deprecating features of the new scheme. The Provincial Councils would be increased in size, and greater reality would be'given to their debates. The Governor's veto and the power of the Viceroy's Council would, however, be still held in reserve. It was intended to necure a large representation of the landholding class and Mohamedans, and also to largely increase the number of members elected by municipalities and district bjards.

The Viceroy's Council, continued Mr Buchanan wuuld be increased to 62 members, partly elected by special classes, but a permanent official majority would be maintained. Special communities and interests ought to be represented on the council. Resolutions moved by unofficial members of the council, dealing with general administrative questions, could be submitted to Government in the form of recom-. mendations. Similar recommendations affecting _the Budget would be considered.

The Government also desired to vivify the local and district boards, thereby training the people to manage local affairs. Executive councils would be established elsewhere than at Madras and Bombay.

Mr Buchanan, in conclusion, claimed that the changes would constitute a real step forward, and would meet political aspirations of honest reformers, while British supremacy would be maintained unchallenged. Indians would be educated in administrative work in the school of experience. It was important that these reforms should appear a spontaneous gift of Britain to popularise India.

No discussion took place in the Commons.

PRESS COMMENT. BOLD ATTEMPT TO SOLVE A TREMENDOUS PROBLEM. LONDON, Dscember 19. "The Times," commenting on the Ministerial statements in regard to India, welcomes the general character of the proposed reforms, especially the increasing of the strength of the Legislative Councils, but expresses grave doubts as to the expediency of the reforms affecting the composition and vigour of the local central executive. The "Standard" says the proposed reforms will not appease the extremist section of the«lndian Home Rulers, while the Moderates will only regard them as a partial con cession of their demands. Nevertheless, the scheme is a spirited attempt to solve a tremendous problem. The "Daily NeWs" says the scheme is incomplete, but it will help Britain to regain the moral strength and influence which she has been losing for a decade. The "Daily Telegraph" declares that it is neither pessimistic nor sanguine, but expectant. Certainly it says, the utmost has been conceded which present circumstances admit. The "Daily Chronicle" characterises the proposals as "a great scheme."

NEWSPAPER PLANT SEIZED. REFORMS WELCOMED. Received December 19, 8.7 p.m. CALCUTTA, December 19. The editorial manuscripts and machinery of a vernacular newspaper named "The Revolution" have k been seized at Lahore. Responsible Indians welcome the reforms almost with enthusiasm. The official world regards the scheme as going further than was anticipated, but in view of Viscount Morley's insistence on a permanent official majority in the Vice-regal Council they will accept the concessions to the Provincial Council without misgivings.

The leading Bengalis describe the reforms as genei'oua. The native papers generally v*elcome the reforms.