EMPIRE OUTPOSTS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 396, 19 March 1915, Page 5

EMPIRE OUTPOSTS.

INDIA. A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE TO CRUSH”SEDITION. [PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.] (Received 19 ,11.40 a.m.) Delhi, March 18. Lord Hardinge, speaking in the Council, said that on a previous occasion he had alluded to his desire to avoid controversial questions, and a number of important measures have already been deferred. A measure is now being introduced as a precautionary measure to ensure the public peace. No slur was cast upon the people. The Government had been informed that the measure was absolutely necessary to meet possible emergencies. No one was more jealous of the honour of India and its reputation for loyalty. He was not disposed to allow the honour of India to bo tarnished by the criminal act of a few ill -balanced minds. He preferred to take the Council into his confidence rather than promulgate an ordinance, as he felt confident of their help and cooperation. Sir Reginald Craddock, in introducing the Bill, congratulated the country on the need of the Bill not. having been previously felt. He emphasised that by the nature of the war the measure was required, in order to arm the military authorities with special powers which the emergencies of war might demand in order to nip in the bud any manifestations of lawlessness beginning to show themselves, but with full recognition of the general loyalty of the country. He alluded to the campaign engineered on the Pacific Coast of America by some deluded men whose minds had been poisoned. They had returned to India, and during the last few months had committed acts of violence in Bengal. Seditious activity had recrudesced and become more daring. The two movements had not been unconnected with the Western Punjab. There had been looting, incendiarism, and racial conflicts between the Hindus and Mohammedans. The danger was only serious if not checked promptly. The Bilb fell into two parts. The first was generally applicable, and immediately empowered the Gove<-nor-General in Council to issue a regulation to ensure the safety of the country modelled on the English Defence of the Realms Act. The second permitted the creation of special tribunals of three Commissioners, three of whom must have the qualifications of a Sessions Judge, to hear cases made over to • them by the local govermuent concerning breaches of regulations under the Act of any offence punishable by transportation or imprisonment for seven years. The order of the 'tribunal was final, ... & Numberous Indians hqifcrtajy ■