GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21812, 18 June 1936, Page 7

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

LACK OF DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES address by rev. c. f. ANDREWS The lack of democratic principles in the existing government in India was ciscuEsed by the Rev. C. F. Andrews, of India m an address, “The Social and Political Position in India To-day,” to staff-members and students of Canterbury College yesterday afternoon in the college hall. In Indian politics there had been very serious disappointment in the last few years, said Mr Andrews. The Britisn Government did get very near to a useful settlement with the peoples of India, when Gandhi and Lord Irwin formed a pact in 1930. Unfortunately. Lord Irwin had left immediately afterwards. In the new regime ttiose who were disappointed with the moderation of Gandhi and of Irwin combined jo Ibeir desire to discard this pact, uhe whole struggle began in a bad setting, which bore the impress of extreme conservatism at the centre, Ihere was no doubt that a large measure of responsible self-government existed, but the central government was hedged in—“hide-bound” almost —with reservations which could be set aside by little short of some drastic amending act. There were subjects, not open to the criticism and vote of the Central Assembly, but reserved for the Viceroy. Reserved subjects under the Viceroy’s direction included foreign affairs, defence, and the ecclesiastical department. Mr Andrews said he was ashamed to say that this department should have been abolished years ago. It was a terrible disgrace that the control should have been withheld from Indian leaders. Moreover, 80 per cent, of the budget expenses were unvotable because they affected military expenditure and charges which were due to Great Britain for payment of interest and for civil service. Only 20 per cent, of the budget could be voted upon by the Central Assembly representing the people generally. A still more serious and undemocratic point was that to get the different states into the central legislation it was necessary to give way to the princes, who were empowered to nominate one-third of the members in the Central Parliament. Perhaps the most serious difficulty of all was the Mohammedans’ insistence on separate elections. Hindu and Moslem voted separately. There were separate seats and separate registers—far from a democratic system—which showed only a state of distrust. This system of compartments would be the law of the land for 10 years, and there seemed to be little remedy before that time had expired. Social Progress “The whole atmosphere of India is changing before our eyes,” said Mr Andrew's. “I can say without any doubt that to-day there is literally no one who will stand up for ‘untouchability.’ and yet there are at least 45,000,000 ‘untouchables’.” To-day could be seen the beginnings of the avalanche that would sweep away untouchability. Moreover it would come about chiefly through Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. Women were taking a lead in almost every field. The marriage age was rising, and the pernicious system of seclusion among higher class women was disappearing. Although child marriages were still occurring in the Indian states, throughout British India a marriage age limit of 14 years for girls had become law. Actually the average age was somewhat higher, and seemed to be rising. It was safe to say that child marriage. too, was disappearing. The progress of the women’s movement also was extensive, he said. In the early pan of the century scarcely a thing was open to them. Now they had franchise, could become parliamentarians, mayoresses. municipal councillors, lawyers, doctors. There was scarcely a profession closed to them.

The people were really peaceful, he said. Hindu and Mohammedan settled peacefully side by side for generation after generation. When the political problems brought forward the question of a majority, there was a great deal of friction with very ugly riots at town centres; but the numbers of riots against the numbers of people (250,000,000 Hindus on one side, and 80,000,000 Moslems on the other) showed that the great mass of the people were peacefully disposed. The riots were the result of political excitement, and it was well to remember that India was a vast continent whose peoples made a total of onefifth of the world population. In the 10 years between 1921 and 1931 India had added 34,000,000 people to the world population. Dr. J. Hight, rector of Canterbury College, introduced the speaker, Professor Shelley expressing the appreciation on behalf of those present.