"INDIA AS IT IS"

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 128, 3 June 1927, Page 3

"INDIA AS IT IS"

SPIRIT OF NATIONALISM

AN ADDRESS BY DEWAN BAHADUR

Dewan Bahadur T. Rangachariar, who was the guest of the New South Wales Constitutional Asoseiation at luncheon recently iii Sydney, and delivered an address, was emphatic in the statement that Indian Nationalism had no desire to cut adrift from the BritHi Empire (states the "Sydney Morning Herald"). "We believe in our connection with, the. Empire," he said, "but we want the British to go on much faster." He said that there had been an unfortunate habit of delaying. Something asked for in 1909, for example, and granted in 1919, would have been prized as of much higher value when it was sought. Conditions had changed since then. Why were there such delays? he asked. Because there were vested interests. _ The Army and the Indian Civil Service offered good prospects for sons m England. Until 1923 tho indigenous sons of tho soil who wanted to enter the services of their own country had to travel to England to sit in an examination. Although, he believed, a resolution had been passed in the House of Commons in 1892 for simultaneous examinations in England and India, it was not until 1923 that the necessary steps were taken, and then only for portion of the Civil Service. ■Theso things were hard to bear, and they wanted them air changed. The manhood of the country had been emasculated by the old system under a Government responsible to the Secretary of State in England, who in return was responsible to the British Government, which was responsible to a House of Commons of over 600 memburs, "who know as little of India, if you will forgive me, as many of you do." Only those who wore the shoe knew where it pinched, and where a stitch was required or a slackening of pressure. "Now," said the Dewau, "you will i begin to perceive, why wo started the Nationalist movement. We recognise the benefits that British government have brought us, but efficiency that is purchased at tho cost of national humiliation and loss. of self-respect is not worth having, as I am sure you libertyloving people will agree." (Applause.) Indians, he said, quoting Mrs. Besant, wished to be free in India.as Englishmen were in England. Their object was not to cut away from the British Empire, as they showed during the war, when they suspended their Home Rule activities and gave freely of lives and munitions and money. He' would tell Indians that Australia was not a land of strangers, but one where they would find friends. (Applause.) The Dewan spoke with a fervour that was contagious, and he made a stirring appeal to Australia, ir. common with England and the other members of the Empire, to assist. India .to build up a Constitution that would make her" as contented and prosperous as we are. The Dewau gave a concise impression of India in his slfort lecture, making it easy to understand the economic position, the internal and external diffieulI ties, and tho racial aspirations of his teeming couutry. He instanced the astounding illiteracy of India, but replied to this being regarded as a factor preventing successful self-government by commending the common-sense of the people. Referring to the trade possibilities between Australia and India, the Dewan I said: "From what little of Australia I have seen I think that we can have a most mutually profitable trade with ! each other."