A SALVATIONIST’S VIEWS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 170, 6 April 1923, Page 3

A SALVATIONIST’S VIEWS

BRITISH RULE IN INDIA , PATERNAL AND JUST THE DOMINIONS AND IMMIGRATION

Commissioner Booth-Tucker, of the Salvation Army, speaking at a luncheon held yesterday in his honour by the Now Zealand Chib, described the British Government in India as the best he had lived under. He mentioned the subject of immigration, and expressed tho opinion that immigrants of the right tilass should be welcomed hi tho overseas Dominions, instead of being scowled at as enemies. Mr. E. S. Baldwin presided over a largo attendance of members, and in introducing the guest of the day referred to the Salvation -Army as one of the most marvellous solidarities of tho present age. Among tho party entertained were Commissioner Hoggaid, Brigadier Toomer, Major Burdon, and Major Greene, M.C., officers of the Salvation Army. Commissioner Booth-Tucker, who was received with enthusiasm, said that he had come to New Zealand to learn all he could about sociology, in which the Army was so deeply interested. It was the object of the Salvationists to learn all they could in order that they might help those who required help. Unfortunatajy did not''appear to be anyone in New Zealand who required help, though Commissioner Hoggard might not agree that it was altogether so. In India they had solved some of the most burning questions of the day in a way of which there was no example elsewhere. British Government in India was the best tho speaker had ever experienced. He had lived under monarchies and. under republics, but never under so just a Government as that of the British in India. (Applause.) The 319 million souls theie were governed in a manner which mads for the goo’d of all. The Government was'a little paternal, but. was none the worse for that. In India one of the secrets of government was the combination of the maximum of liberty with the minimum of interference. It was tho iron hand in a velvet glove. There were about 500 native rajahs who ruled 70 millions of the population. These were allowed to keep a pocket pistol, but were not permitted to wear a largo sword. The remaining 250 million people were in British India, and wi&T practically governed themselves. Heye the people ruled themselves as they had done for hundreds of years past. Their ordinary pursuits were the exchange of produce and labour, so that money was' of little value, and was converted into jewellery, which was the Indian’s savings bank. The British rule in India was well worthy of study, particularly as regards the relief of unemployment m famine periods. Then, again, the Government of India had provided huge public works to guard against famine calamities. The Government had even diverted big rivers, and with cheap labour had been able to construct railways for the good l of the people. These works did not benefit a single person, but .the people of India, themselves, and the Government had done all this on a payable basis. Then tho Indian Government had done splendid work in distributing the people over the country, and thus relieving congestion in overcrowded areas. Tne Salvation Army had engaged successfully in placing colonies upon the land in. India. During (he past 20 rears it had sent 100,000 people to Canada, and he was proud to say that there had not been 1 per cent, of failures. He felt that much good would result to Australia and New Zealand if more immigrants could bo absorbed without increasing unemployment. God had given brains to the people of these young lands, but of what use were brains if they were not to be employed in improving the conditions of the less fortunate members of tho race? The speaker was confident that the fair lands of New Zealand could with advantage to the people here carry many more immigrants. The Salvation Army, with its long experience of settlement, was prepared to assist in this direction as it had done in Canada. When they thought of tho 1,500.000 persons in England who could not find emplovment, and of tho doles which the Imperial Government had to make. all would agree that something should be done to relieve the position. It was useless for the Governments of . the overseas Dominions to say, “It is no concern of ours.” Such a vital Question liot only concerned all Governments, but concerned all British communities as well. , , . , “If we take up these big, burning questions of the day with sympathetic hearts,” concluded the speaker we will soon find means of solving them. TE'’*.. th. «» chairman, on behalf of the members of the club, thanked Commissioner Booth-Tucker for his instructive address. The proceedings closed with tlio singing of tho National Anthem.