UNREST IN INDIA. NOT FRAUGHT WITH TREMENDOUS IMPORT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 42, 19 February 1908, Page 7

UNREST IN INDIA. NOT FRAUGHT WITH TREMENDOUS IMPORT.

THE OUTLOOK. "The present unrest in India is not ■ fi aught with such tremendous import as is attached to it by some," said Mr. C. Paterson, M.A., LL.B., lately of Madras, who is now in Wellington. The visitor had been questioned on tha subject by a member of The Post staff, and, after reply as quoted, added : "There is not the remotest prospect of another mutiny. I have no hesitation in saying that the great majority of the educated and enlightened msn"of the Madras Presidency deprecate in the highest degree the present seditious agitation, and they are contented and loyal, though the few who may not be so are the ones who make themselves most heard. WHAT HAS BRITAIN DONE FOR INDIA? Security from enemies at her borders, internal peace, firm administration of law, industrial and commercial development, the uplifting of women, and of down-trodden castes and panchames, and piogros9ive education system and amelioration of the conditions of life — these are th© main results of Britain's rule and of hsr work in India. la the continuance of that rule, 'in Borneo think like it« preseat shape, continued the visitor, lies for a long time to com© India's beat hope. Autonomy would 'mean internecine wars among th» diverse nations of the country; disorder and turbulence would reign and a speedy declino in prosperity and well-being' would ensue. " .SEDITION-MONGERS. There is a certain consciousness of all ihia among those most concerned, Mr. Paterson believes. The very section of the population amongst whom discontent shows itself would suffer most and Eoone*st if Britain's direct authority were withdrawn. The Bengali Babus,' among whom discontent seems most rife, , would speedily go under to the warlike' Mohammedans, Gurkhas, and Sikhs, all of whom are, so far as can b® judged, quite satisfied with their present lot. Tho agitators of the north, oratora' and pr«ss writers, are mostly lawyers who stir up racial animosity for their own ends. Thesa are chiefly to gain more political influence and to secure Government position* for their own_ followers. They are neither real patriots nor truo leaders of opinion ; their schemes find no place for uplifting the downtrodden multitudes of the lower orders of the community. * - THE REPORTED MOVEMENT TOWARDS NATIONALISM. The native press, nnd that other occasionally clamorous political agency, the National Congress, are not wholly run by agitators. They both serve to a considerable extent to bring the real wants of the peopla beforo the notice - ol'tho Government. So far as .they voice legitimate aspirations they are welcome, says Mr. Patemon. The idea tliat the peoples of Hindustan, moved by tho example of 'Japan and the new spirit in China, are likely to unite in a great movement of nationalism before which Britain's presence will become superfluous cannot hold in face of the abiding ~ divisions which cleave the population of India.