AN IMPERIALIST

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 9, 11 July 1922, Page 8

AN IMPERIALIST

WELCOME TO NOTABLE

INDIAN

ENTHUSIASM FOR EMPIRE

'.'NEITHER .AN ACCIDENT NOR A

FREAK.".

The Eigh'c Hon. Srfnrvasa Sastri, the distinguished Indian, who is visiting New Zealand, was accorded a civic reception to-day, and his pleasing personality claimed a representative gathering of citizens. The Mayor (Mr. R. A. 'Wright, M.P.) presided.

The Mayor extended to ihe city's guest a hearty welcome to Wellington. Mr. Sastri was'touring New Zealand, he said, in the interests of the Empire to which he belonged. He was regarded as an outstanding representative of India, and for that reason he was made a Privy Councillor. He had risen from the people and forced himself to the topmost rung of the ladder. New Zealanders always regarded a man of i that calibre with the utmost respect. Mr. ■Sastri was a true student of world affairs. He , was a strong Imperialist. •(Applause.) They did not forget that during the war the Indian people supported the Empire's cause. (Applause.) ■Many such factors appealed to citizens "in extending a cordial welcome to Mr. Sastri. ' '

Councillor H. D. -Bennett, on behalf of the councillors, said he was sure the people of New Zealand from one end to the other would welcome Mr. Saatri. Jt had long been the wish of everybody to get into closer, personal touch with the leading citizens of other part of the Empire. New Zealand desired to become more acquainted with India, which now appeared as a picture in the distance. If Mr. Sastri could do anything to promote a better commercial relationship between India-, and :New Zealand, ho would be doing something for the good of the Empire as a whole. •The Hon.' W. Downie Stewart, Minister of Internal Affairs, represented the Government. He said he was extremely glad to know that Mr. Sastri, had no complaints to make against the Government. For a number of years he had been waiting to find somebody who had no complaints against the Government. However, no doubt there were matters which needed adjustment, and the Government would be only too pleased to meet Mr. Sastri in order to clear up any misunderstandings, so that it could write 'in the future for the general good of the Empire. ■ The Et. Hon. Mr. Sastri was received with loud applause. "I am very gratified indeed," he said, "anS no doubt my •countrymen will be gratified, at the splendid reception I have received in Wellington. But lam now used to the hospitality of the white people of the Pacific. I have gone from city to city .in Australia, and everywhere my welcome has been most cordial." He said it was a great thing for his country, a great thing for any country, to belong to th* great Commonwealth of Nations which constituted the British nation. He looked with great enthusiasm upon the big ideals of that commonwealth, and in that, connection he was in India neither an accident nor a freak. Miliiane of his countrymen had answered the Emipre's call, and millions would be prepared to answer again if the need, arose, which God forbid. Millions would bear witness to India's loyalty to the Empire, as they had done^ recently in association with New Zealanders. ■ He believed, speaking modestly, that in this great world. India could do a little, but it was -essential that the people of an Empire which strove for fair-play, justice, and brotherhood amongst the peoples on this planet should learn more about its own people. The people ( of India differed from the rest in complexion, habits, and outlook on life, and those things must be understood if the Empire was to achieve its great purpose. He was rather afraid the Indians who had come over from Fiji had disadvantaged India in the eyes of New Zealanders, and he was sorry if that had been so. For many reasons; India had had to submit to indignities, mainly because it was largely governed by white people, who did not know India and its different elements. He again thanked the people of Wellington' for their cordial reception, and stated that he would for ever work for the greater glory of the British Commonwealth. (Applause.)

The proceedings concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.