HOME RULE IN INDIA.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 283, 14 November 1929, Page 3

HOME RULE IN INDIA.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l have to congratulate “Fair Play” on the very temperate effusion, in your Saturday’s issue. The tone is very different from that of his first. In regard to the population of India, it is somewhat difficult to estimate the numbers aright. There must be a million births a month in India at the very least and it takes a big famine to make any mark on the increasing rate. “Fair Play’s” figures must he two years or so old. Mr. “Fair Play” compares Miss Mayo’s book to a tale of the drainage of India. He has not read other works that in veiled language state the same thing. What we deplore in Indian life, in Hindoo eyes is sanctioned by their religion. He speaks of the franchise being given to the women. The women, themselves, are brought up in the belief of divine sanction even for their oppression. Nothing can shake them. The pariah woman devoutly believes that her humble and degraded position is divinely ordained. To give the franchise to them is simply to further bind the chains of hopeless, miserable child marriage, blind submission of lives, and the outcasting of widows, further on the necks of the fine and noble women that exist in India to-day. Perhaps “Fair Play” may remember that when Utah was created a State, the franchise was granted to the women, in the hope that they would rise against the tyranny of polygamy. The contrary was the case. The women one and all held to polygamy. Even in the courts of law (such as America runs) the women preferred to commit most shameless perjury rather than inculpate the polygamous Mormons. Franchise, Mr. Editor, in many cases is a blessing, but it has to be exercised by a free people. In the hands of interested and superstitious men, it becomes a mighty power for ill.—l am, etc.. P.T. Hastings, 14/11/25.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The late Commonwealth of India Bill contained reference to defence and supervision, which may lie taken to indicate the attitude of those supporting dominion status. Provision was made for a Defence Commission with a majority of Indians thereon, appointed by the Vicetoy in consultation with his Cabinet. Full responsibility of defence could have been undertaken by India when the Commission reported favourably. The powers and functions of the Secretary of State were to have been transferred to the Commonwealth Executive; the Viceroy was to have been retained. Thanking you, Sir.—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY. Hastings, 14/11/29.