MAJOR ANDREW OF "THE SIXTH."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1124, 11 May 1911, Page 2

MAJOR ANDREW OF "THE SIXTH."

. « •'■YELLOW I'EltlL" INTERVIEW. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Christchurch, May 0. There arrived in Christchurch a few days ago, Mojor Andrews, of tho 116 th Mahratlas, an officer well-known in Cliristciiurcii. Major Andrew is on furlough, and ho intends to spend the next few months in this city. In an interview with a "News" reporter, lie talked interestingly of several matters connected with India and Asia. . Referring to the past unrest in India, he said that ho believed that the position had considerably improved dvriiig the past twelve months. The enlargement of tho .supreme legislative council, by the inclusion of a greater number of educated Indians of position, seemed to have Telieved the strain somewhat, and to have given the Indians that vote in the government of the country which the Indian International Congress had been advocating during the last 20 years. In reference to the projected visit of their Majesties to India, Major Andrew stated that it was hoped that the crowning of the King at Delhi, and his presentation as Sovereign of India in actuality, would exercise a very beneficial effect on tho feelings of a good many of those- who were antagonistic to British rule. There was a considerable section of the Indian population which would be satisfied with nothing less than self-government. On the-other hand, it was contended that government by Parliament in Persia, following a syttera of absolutism, had resulted in chuos and confusion. The condition of affairs in Southern. Persia would probably lead to English or Russian intervention, or joint action by the two Governments. Trade and commerce there, were at a standstill, roads were unsafe, and communications blocked. The disastrous result of the Persian, experiment would not. encourage the granting of self-government in India. . t

"One of the most potent questions facing the Western world is the. increase in the. Asiatic population," said Major Andrew. "It i» calculated that, owing to the peaceful conditions that have existed in Asia during the last half century, tho population liar, increased so enormously as to be in itself (apart from any aggressive tendency of the Asiatics') a danger to neighbouring States. Although reliable statistics fur Hie whole of Asia are not available, it is believed that the population has increased during the last ten years bv 50,000,000. At that rate the increase will be 5,000,000,-000 during tho coming century, and the surplus must overflow into there lands of the Pacific, or into Africa. Tho prospect can scarcely bo viewed with equanimity. I don't believo that the Asiatic people are now, or ever will be, wantonly asgressive, but such an enormous population must find an outlet. I believe that they are already filling up the islands immediately contiguous to the Continent ot Asia, and, in time, it appears to me that they must go further abroad. "I think the great danger—if there, is danger at all that threatens the States other than Asiatic on the Pacific—is to be found in tho seafaring spirit of tho Japanese. It is said that more than 2,000,'VK) Japanese are living- the seafaring life, which inculcates an adventurous spirit, and a desire to seek and colonise new lands, such as , animated' tho Venetians. Genoese, Spaniards. Portuiiiwc. and Dutch of old times, and the. British of more modern times. Facin:, , them we have the people of the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, who, owing to the favourable economic conditions on the land, show little or no inclination to take to the sea. The moral is an obvious one, and every endeavour should be made to overcome the 1 '.growing disinclination for a. seafaring life." ■ ■ fMajor Andrew commanded tho Sixth New Zealand Contingent in ■ the South African War.] ' • ■.-<■■