INDIA'S STRUGGLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 186, 7 August 1940, Page 8

INDIA'S STRUGGLE.

OBSTACLES TO UNITY. RULING PRINCES' POWERS. "The. administration of the British Government in India is sane, quiet and strong, and the thinking people of India all realise that the Indian Empire cannot be left to complete independence at the present time," said Mr. Samuel Barry, of Auckland, in addressing the Creditmen's Club at its weekly luncheon in Milne and Choyce's reception hall today, on India. He declared that the only salvat ; on for India was to work out its destiny under the paramount power of the British raj. There had been a wonf'*:rfull galaxy of great names among those who had been responsible for the administration of India, aisd they had held to the idea of beneficent Government. The new constitution now being worked out presented some very difficult problems in the effort to educate the people in self-government, declared Mr. Barry. The present Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow, was constantly striving for political, social and religious unity, but was confronted with an India divided into two groups, one group includius 260,000,000 people, under direct British rule and the other, consisting of 80,000,000 people, ruled over by 35 princes who exercised autocratic powers. A great effort was being made to reform the independent States and to give to the people some share in the govern-n-ent. Until this was brought e 'about, | there would be no real unity in India. Gandhi, the Congress leader, although he had created troubles for Britain, was not at heart unfriendly. The Moslem League was opposed to the present constitution and there were thus difficult cross-currents of opinion. Rural poverty was appalling and the rapid industrialisation which was now beginning, was giving rise to social and economic problems.