PEASANT UNREST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 209, 5 September 1938, Page 10

PEASANT UNREST.

AGAINST LANDLORDS.

MOVEMENT IN INDIA.

NOTED MISSIONARY HERE.

The next great revolt in India would not be aimed at the British, but at the landlords, who had been rapacious in the past, declared Dr. E. Stanley Jones, well known as an author of books on theological subjects and as a missionary in India for 31 years, who arrived in the Aorangi to-day on hie way. to America.

Trained ae a pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States, Dr. Jonee went to India in 1907. Later he became mission superintendent of the Lucknow district, where he has remained almost continuously ever since. At present he is on his way to the States to conduct a university mission. Explaining current trends in Tndia, Dr. Jonee said to-day that Communism there was unlawful as an organisation, but socialistic ideas were spreading very rapidly. Only Debts to Lose. "The Indian peasant is the most exploited peasant in the world, and, eince he has nothing to lose except his debts, he is tinder for the teaching of Jawahir Lai Nehru, who, after Gandhi, is the outstanding leader and is a socialist," Dr. Jonee added. "At the present time this movement is showing itself chiefly in the propaganda of ideas, and that is resulting in peasant unrest. The next great revolt consequently will not be against the British, but against the landlords, who have been rapacious in the past and are now coming to the accounting." When it was suggested to him that these trends would bring fresh problems in missionary work. Dr. Jone* replied that problems might arise, but there' would be opportunities, too. The demand for change and for human rights was the atmosphere in which Christianity could live. There might be chaotic repercussions, but nevertheless the movement was a striving for new liberties and the rising, economically and spiritually, of a suppressed people. " Outcast Revolt." Actually the biggest revolt at the present time was the "outcast revolt" led by Dr. Ambcdkar, who had said he was leaving Hinduism with 00.000.000 outcaste. They had not yet decided which faith they would choose; they were still weighing the respective merits of the various faiths. This revolt opened the door to missionary endeavour, but the Church had made it Mear that it was not taking part in an auction of souls. "The political situation in India is better eince the granting of the reforms," Dr. Jones continued. "The Indians are rising to the occasion and showing a very great sense of responsibility. Therefore the situation between India and Britain is better for the moment at least. "That doesn't mean, however, that India has "iven up her claim for independence. The point is that the of Congresw are now being absorbed in tho urobilins of self-government in the provinces." Gandhi was still "the power behind the throne.' . Dr. Jones concluded. The leader? all consulted bim in anv crisie.