The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, March 16, 1940. INDIAN UNREST.

Grey River Argus, 16 March 1940, Page 6

The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, March 16, 1940. INDIAN UNREST.

Outside attention is being directed once more, despite the Avar, to the ferment in India by the shooting of prominent personages associated with the British administration by some obscure Indian residing in London. The victim whose life was taken. Sir Michael O’Dwyer, had, about 21 years ago, been a leading figure, as Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, in the administration of India, Avhen agitation had mounted to a high pitch. It Avas made memorable by the mi fortunate event, Avhich came to be called the “Amritsar Massacre,” when a great mass of native riotors Avcre fired on, and several hundreds Avere either killed or Avounded. From time to time in the long history of the British occupation, Indian discontent has been met Avith drastic action on the part of the administration, and the defence always has been that the course adopted has, however severe, been the lesser of two evils, the other being to alloAv agitators to gain an ascendancy Avhich Avould only intensify or spread disorder. Since the Amritsar Massacre, however, there has been a perceptible change, and, while disorders have been kept doAvn. it is safe to say that no resort to coercion similar to that at Amritsar Avould now be countenanced. On the other hand, the Administration can still say that the agitation in the country, even that of Congress, is due mainly to a com-

parative minority, Avho are intensely active, Avhereas the vast bulk of the population is more or less apathetic, and even ignorant of the main present issue. This, of course, relates to political independence. During the past decade there have been greater strides than many Avould credit toAvards Indian economic independence. in the sense that indus tries, Avhich have rapidly extend ed, have at the same time tended to become owned more and more by capitalists i-esident in India. This is not to say, of course, that the exploitation of native labour is not also extending, and producing among the proletariat a neAV class consciousness that is not to be ignored. The shootings, regrettable as they are, have doubtless had their inspiration in some of the varied forms

of Indian agitation, representing probably a misdirected and utterly imprudent attempt to force the hands of the British in the matter of political reform. If it is true that the agitation of the Nationalists for autonomy, whether dominion status, as Mr. Gandhi desires, or the complete independence espoused by the extremists, is the activity of a minority, it is no less true that only a minority are comprised by

the elements which arc definitely partisans of the British regime. Between the two, there is a vast mass which is indifferent. Thus., though the shootings may focus attention upon the agitation for a greater degree of self government, they at the same time must i be a reminder of the obstacles to that objective.' These inhere alike in the lack of fitness of the masses for the exercise of autonomous rights, and the inability of the political groups to undertake responsibilities that the British administration is able to sustain only because of exceptional training and experience. For instance, the Moslem ele ments remain suspicious of the Hindus, and with hundreds of differing languages, the hundreds of millions comprising the population are lacking in social cohesion. The native rulers are certainly a very privileged class under the British scheme, and it is largely through their influence that the British are able to recruit Indian soldiers. It is the magnitude of the task of divising any governmental system which shall apply anywise uniformly to the whole country which stands in the way of faster progress towards autonomy. ]t is undoubted, however, that the political agitation, which has been aug-

mented since the war began, will have an educative effect, and thus hasten the advent of something more akin to dominion status than the present system. Britain, however, while she has, on the whole, been far less an economic gainer from India than is generally supposed, is not disposed to countenance the demand for independence and those who espouse it are only placing obstacles in the path of more reasonable demands. It is a notorious fact that some extremist elements are in tow with Moscow, and that it is this association which prompts the advocacy of complete separation from the British Commonwealth. Bearing in mind the diversion from Britain to India itself of the ownership of industrial enterprises in recent years, it can be said that, consistent with social order and association with the British Commonwealth, there is a willingness in Britain to accord a steadily increasing . degree of self-govern* ment. Mr. Gandhi, as good a judge as most, must realise this when he is prepared to await the conclusion of the war before expecting dominion status. Like others he has seized on the emergency as an opportunity to extract a definite guarantee, being confident that it would be honoured. Industrialism will raise new problems as it grows in India, and hasten political development. But the British have still a great responsibility, and it is, among other, things, to protect the Indians from themselves. At the same time, British capitalism must soon realise that Indian labour is entitled to far better conditions than yet prevail in the country.