INDIA'S ASPIRATIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10330, 27 March 1916, Page 5

INDIA'S ASPIRATIONS.

HER SPLENDID LOYALTY EULOGISED.

SELF GOVERNMENT A LEGITIMATE IDEAL.

Received March 27, 8.5 a.m. DELHI. March 26

Tho Indian Budget debate speeches expressed regret at Lord Hardinge’s forthcoming departure. Lord Hardinge attributed the favourable reception of the new taxation to the fact that tho burdens wore fairly distributed and tho desire to help tho Empire in time of crisis. He reiterated that the cotton duties would ho reconsidered after the war in connection with the general fiscal policy of tho Empire. He had been authorised to make, in the name of the Imperial Government, a promise of a broad reconsideration of the fiscal interests of India from a new angle of vision which he thought would place the future position of tho country much higher than it would have been by the simple acceptance of the proposals of the Government of India. India’s relations with Persia were most friendly. Persia was doing her utmost to suppress the machinations of enemy bands. The Amir of Afghanistan had renewed his royal word to observe strict neutrality. Except for certain Mahsud raiders who would presently receive drastic punishment on the frontier, tranquility prevailed except in Bengal where there had been a regrettable number of murders and docoitios. Tho internal situation could hardly be more favourable, though the Government had ample evidence of tho designs of Germans to create trouble on the fallacy that India was disloyal to the Empire, The loyalty and patriotism of India was beyond all praise. She had sent 300,000 soldiers overseas and had contributed over £1,000,000 worth of war materials.

Referring to the movement for the self-government of India the \ iceroy said ho did not wish to discountenance a national ideal. It was a perfectly legitimate aspiration and had the warm sympathy of all moderate men, hut in the present position of India it was not idealism but practical politics and practical solutions of questions arising out of special political conditions in the country that were needed. To raise extravagant hopes and encourage unreliable demands would only tend to delay. None was more desirous than himself to see the early realisation of the just and legitimate aspirations of India, but ho was equally desirous of avoiding the danger of reaction from premature expectations. Ho advocated greater decentralisation and the delegation of more power to local governments. Ho felt sure the Dominion Governments would approach the Indian emigration question with a broader and more generous spirit than heretofore. CANADIAN PREMIER CANNOT GO TO ENGLAND.

(Times and Sydney Sun Service.) Received March 27, 9 a.m. LONDON, March 26. It is understood Sir Robert Borden will bo unable to visit England. Mr Hughes regrets this because he depended on Sir Robert’s assistance to impress on the Government several Dominion questions.