SAFETY Of INDIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 67, 19 March 1915, Page 2

SAFETY Of INDIA.

<GROWTH'OF SEDITION ' m 'bengal Zand funjattb. PROMPT MEASURES TO .' SUPPRESS IX. . . .(Received IIAQ a-m.) •'•'•• ■ -•"-• •• DELHI, March IS. Viscount Hardinge (Viceroy), addressing the Council of India, said that on a previous jgccasipn he had alluded to a desire to avoid controversial Questions, and a measures had already been deferred. A bill for the preservation of the peace in~lhdia'w>s how.being introduced. It wa£ _a, pr^cauQonaly"measure to ensur.e public peace 2 and was no slur on the people. The Government was informed that the measure was absolutely necessary to meet possible emergencies. Ifo one was' mbfe""j'eal"ous of.'the honour of Jndia" arrd*'iterreputatio"ii"fb(r loyalty, and be was not.djsposed to allow the honour of_ India_to be tarnished.by the criminal act of a. few minds. He preferred "to take Council into his confidence rather - " than promulgate the , measure in confident in their help and co-operation. " .Sir Reginald Craddock, introducing tie I Dill, congratulated the' country that the . Beed for "the bill had not previously h?en Sett, _"H¥ emphasised the nature of the and said tjit..the measure was required, order , arm the military Kothorities" with special powers' which She emergencies of war 'might demand in order"te Ijip -in'the bhd -manifestations oT.'l.awJessnesslTwhicli Were beginning to . show He .gave full recognition to the generaripyalty of the country, and alluded to the campaign. engineered jbn'theTPacinc coast of Amexica. " Some' deructed" with" theii"minds poisoned.,,who had returned to' India ' dnjrpig ,the_ last _ few months, had comin and seditious _ activity had again appeared, ■ and had become more daring.' The'"two movements afoot were not imconneetea," ~Tn"'the" westerii Punjauh f}een and'incendiarism, ; and r racial conflict between Hindus and Mohammedans._ -,Tne. danger would only become serious'if not checked promptly." °"TKe bprieU. iirto. two parts,.the first Being •generajly applicable immediately. It., empowered' the. .Governor-General in Council to. issue relegation to ensure the safety of the country, modelled on the English Defence" of the Realm Act. The second permitted'the' creation of special tribunals and Commissioners, three of ! whSSX-STUStShajrjECtJie qualification of". a . sessions judge, to hear cases made over to them by local governments -concerning ■ breaches of the regulations under the Act of any offence .punishable by transportation, or imprisonment for seven years. The Order 'of tribunal' Was final. ; Many Indians-heartily supported the main princrpter of -.the-bill; which was nnanimopsly passed; -•••■.- -. . .