Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1941. INDIA’S OPPORTUNITY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 July 1941, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1941. INDIA’S OPPORTUNITY.

ITT is doubtful if flic majority of people in New Zealand and Australia realise the importance of India, to themselves, yet. apart from trade possibilities, what is happening in India may prove to be of.immense consequence to the safety of the two .Southern Dominions. The German and Japanese menaces to British rights in Asia, are developing, and India is a bulwark against, enemy advances further afield. Axis plans include conquest or occupation of India’s territory, and. the- possibility of some success in that direction must not be ignored. Mr. Churchill has accepted it, if, at, the same time, being confident that such enemy hold would be precarious and temporary.

As one of the great ‘ ‘ arsenals of Democracy,” India lias already done much to. supply men and material for the common cause. The national efforts, however, have not been so great as these could be, owing- to the Congress Party’s refusal to co-operate, until full selfgovernment is granted to India. Britain is desirous of meeting In-

dian aspirations for independence, but in view of the many diversities of race, creed, and customs of India’s many millions, it has been found impossible to devise a scheme making India independent and yet preserving the rights of the minorities and preventing ancient feuds plunging the country into chaos, making it an easy 'prey for envious neighbours, Indian unity would indeed, be strength, but, so far, there is little sign of its .accomplishment.

Britain has long ago abandoned a, policy alleged to be based on a belief that India, existed for the benefit of the British, and of late years, concessions of British authority have been frequent. The war of 1914-18 gave a further impetus to this movement, and India’s aid in the present struggle has developed British willingness to let Indians manage their own affairs, as soon as they prove capability. Most Indians prefer British rule to Hindu Congress control, and were the British to leave India to her own devices, civil, war and other horrors would soon ensue. Meanwhile, step by step, Britain is preparing India, for full self-govern-ment. The latest moves in this direction include the appointment of an Indian Minister at Washington, with U.S.A, reciprocity. This is significant acceptance of India s growing status.

More important, are the new additions to the Executive Council, the real authority in India. All the appointed are Indians, who now have a majority on the Council. A National Defence Council has also been formed, which will include prominent Indians. As usual, the British Government’s efforts to meet Indian wishes have met with a mixed reception, the Moslems fearing Hindu predominance, and the Congress Party declaring that the new' powers bestowed are inadequate. ft will be interesting to watch the developments, so far as the meagre news service from India permits. Responsible Indians must realise the danger that will be created it the country does not unite to defeat the Axis Powers, and all Indians, rich and poor, must know that whatever the defects of British supervision, were the Nazis to obtain control, the lot of the Indians would be infinitely worse.