IN INDIA

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 304, 8 December 1931, Page 8

IN INDIA

GOVERNMENT CHALLENGED NO RENT CAMPAIGN. CONGRESS DECISION. Delhi, Dec. 7. Events throughout India are rapidly developing, and, following the Bengal Congress’ decision, the United Provinces Congress’ committee has challenged the Government by authorising Congress representatives in the districts of Raebareli, Etawah, Cawnpore and Unao to start a no rent campaign among the peasants under the guise of championing their rights. Congress has exploited the agrarian situation in the United Provinces, has demanded the remission of all rents and has refused to compromise with th) Government, whose measures to meet the new threat against law and order will be put into operation immediately. IF BRITAIN WITHDREW. “CHAOS WOULD COME.’’ “Britain came to India at a time when India was in chaos. If Britain withdrew precipitately from India, chaos would return.” Sir John Simon, who was chairman of the India Commission, uttered this warning in a talk on the Indian problem, broadcast to America, says the “Daily Mail.” Referring to the complexities of the problem, ho said that even if the problem were confined to the reconciliation of Hindu and Mohammedan points of view it would still be one of tho most complicated tasks imaginable. “A settlement between Hindu and Moslem claims imposed from without,” he said, “would have little prospect of success or permanence; agreement between them is the only secure basis; and there is no object more dear to the heart of any Englishman who really desires to help along Indian peace and progress than that the spokesmen of these two communities should come together and agree how, in any new constitution, their claims and representations are to be adjusted.” Apart from this fundamental issue, they must bear in mind how much else must be provided for before the ground plan of a new Federal Constitution for all India could begin to take shape. One-third of Indian soil and nearly a quarter of the Indian population were outside British India altogether.

These were the realm of the 560 Indian States —some of them great territories corresponding to a European country—ruled over by an Indian Prince who was in treaty alliance with the King-Emperor, to whom he was attached by unquestioned fealty. “Now pass from the consideration of these powerful rulers to the other end of the social scale, to the very bottom,” went on Sir John, “and consider the case of the many millions of the depressed classes —50,000,000 of them —scattered over the face of every part of India, outcasts from the caste system of the Hindus, living under degrading social conditions which have been imposed upon them by ancient custom, but which are utterly opposed to every conception of democracy. No future constitution of India could possibly be worthy of the name of responsible self-government which did not give them an adequate voice.” MANY PROBLEMS. India did not present a single problem which could be disposed of by dwelling on an aspiration or devising a formula. It presented a vast bundle of most difficult questions in which, in

India’s own interests, the friendly and practical co-operation of Britain was essential. After tracing Britain's part in helping India towards responsible self-gov-ernment, Sir John said: “It is a part for which no Englishman has reason to be ashamed, for, whatever mistakes may have been made, British policy has been steadily directed to that end. “What all progressive Englishmen hope to see is that we may be able to contribute out of our own experience and our own constructive statesmanship, to the further progress of India towards the goal that has been set before her. “Do not believe those who tell you that Britain is obstructive and unyielding. She was contributed much, for she has helped to establish order, and a belief in impartial justice and a high standard of disinterested administration. “But great as has been her contribution on the material and objective side, there is a greater contribution still which may now be provided by friendly co-operation and mutual goodwill. For India needs more than ever the wise understanding and disinterested friendship of the West to achieve her ultimate destiny in the East.”