THE INDIAN CRISIS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 74, 24 February 1938, Page 8

THE INDIAN CRISIS.

A political crisis has developed in India and it seems that the Congress Party desires to dictate the policy of the State Governments, and determine what should or should not be done, and is brushing aside authority. The immediate cause of the crisis appears to be the determination of State Cabinets to release all political prisoners, whether they be terrorists or not. The Viceroy has consented to some prisoners' being released, but not those charged with terrorism, and because of this there have been resignations of State Governments. The Viceroy and his administrators must be having a very anxious time. The Indian Home Rule Bill was fully discussed at the Round-Table Conferences in London, with intervals between the conferences. It was examined from every angle and thrashed out clause by clause, and, though not perfect in .all respects, it was accepted by the majority, and passed by the Imperial Parliament. The Indianised Governments are new, and like all new brooms they desire to make a clean sweep. It is quite obvious that working the new Constitution will require the greatest of care, with forbearance and even sacrifices on all sides. The Indian mentality is a thing apart. It is Eastern. In the East kindness or consideration is often interpreted as weak-' ness, and this mentality drives the Indian to demand more when a little is given. The leaders of Congress now demand complete self-government, or rather complete independence of the British Raj, leaving the Indians themselves to decide whether or no India shall be a component part of the British Empire. This is a large demand, and cannot be conceded. The Indians have not shown any marked ability in governing, in fact, they have not had time to do so, and a period of schooling in governing is desirable. The people of India are not a homogenous people. They are split up into races and castes and creeds, and outbreaks between Hindu and. Maliommedan, or Sikh, are of frequent occurrence. To hold these conflicting elements in cheek, and to maintain harmony between the different creeds and castes cannot as yet be left to the Indians themselves. It is somewhat significant that Congress should demand complete severance from British rule. Such a severance would fulfil an old-time prophecy. In 1757, when Clive won his signal victory at Plassey, it was bazaar talk that it would take a hundred years to “throw out the British Raj.” An attempt was made in 1857. by the Indian Mutiny, to oust the Raj. We are nineteen years off another hundred years—l9s7 —and so it is possible that another and more serious attempt may be made to drive the British out of India. While this is possible, we do not for a moment believe that it is probable. India is now educated and many Indians are ready to acknowledge the great benefits they have derived from British rule, and tliev know thev can never expect the same full measure of justice from Indian rulers as from the British.

Limited Express Late. Owing, it is believed, to a small fault in the engine which caused a slight but steady loss of time, the Limited express arrived in Palmerston North 43 minutes late this morning. Prisoner Recaptured.

Found in a distressed condition in a riverbed about five miles away, a Maori, Moses Tito, aged 20, who escaped from the Waikeria prison camp near Te Awamutu on Monday afternoon, was recaptured by a party of warders at about six o’clock on Tuesday evening. Timber Milling at Seddon. A small sawmill has been kept busy during the last twelve months in the pinus insignis plantations at the Seddon prison nursery (states the Press). The trees are more than 35 years old, and were planted by prisoners serving long sentences. Some of the trees are nearly 100 ft in height, and have good clean barrels. Extensive Injuries.

Injuries which included a fracture of the left wrist, fractured ribs, and possibly a cracked pelvis, were suffered by Mr A. Cribb, a young married man, who was admitted to hospital yesterday. Mr Cribb resides between Bunnythorpc and Feilding. The manner in which he received his injuries could not be ascertained to-day. Maori Street Names.

Maori names of native trees and shrubs have been chosen by the Mount Eden Borough Council to replace those of 23 streets which are a source of confusion to the postal authorities because of their use in other parts of the Auckland metropolitan area. The list includes such euphonious titles as ICoromiko, Konini, Manatu, Kamahi and Tanelcaha. Good Mushroom Season.

On account of plentiful supplies coming to hand, mostly from the Manawatu and Wairarapa districts, the prices of mushrooms on the 'Wellington market have eased this week, and the public is reaping the benefit. Last week the prices ranged from Is to 2s a lb. retail; this week the range has been from 6d to Is 6d a lb, with a lowering tendency. First-class mushrooms, in good order, could be purchased yesterday (retail), for 7d a lb. Light ’Plane For Wanganui.

A light training ’plane new to New Zealand, but in general use in America and well known also in Engla’nd, purchased by Mr J. 11. Franklin, of Wanganui, is being assembled at the ltongotai hangar, Wellington. It is a Taylor Cub higli-wing monoplane, with seating for two, tandem, and dual controls. In America this light ’plane has been dubbed “the poor man’s aeroplane,” and certainly it has come nearer the ’plane that anyone can buy "and tty than any other. Growth Of Catholic Church.

The steady growth of the Catholic Church in New Zealand since Bishop Pompallier celebrated the first Mass in Tnomas Boynton's home at Hokianga in 1838 was referred to by ltcv. Father M. J. Bleakley, when .speaking at Hamilton of the birth of the Catholic faith in the Dominion. Although immeasurable hardships had to' be suffered by the early missionaries, the Church had made rapid headway and to-day there were 200,000 Catholics m New Zealand with 450 priests 2000 religious teachers and 600 churches.

New Plymouth Seat. The Labour Party’s candidate foi the New Plymouth seat at the general election will be either Mr F. L. Frost, of Auckland, or Mr C. J. Duggan, a member of the New Plymouth Labour Representation Committee. The final choice will be made by the committee after the two nominees have addrsssed meetings of unionists at New Plymouth and Waitara. Mr Frost, who was then a resident of Hastings, contested the seat at the last election when there were five candidates. Mr S. G. Smith, who will be the National Party candidate again, beat Mr Frost by a small margin.

Collector of Antiques. Few houses in New Zealand contain such a wealth of historical interest as that of Mr A. E. Clemas, Cole Street, Masterton. Almost every conceivable variety of antique from Minton, Dresden, Crown Derby and Wedgewogd china to Elizabethan and Venetian furniture is in the collection. His study, lined with books dating back to 15Q0, and furnished with antique pieces, elaborately carved in oak and teak, is reminiscent of a well-kept and comfortable museum. Mr Clemas began collecting in a humble way as a schoolboy and gradually picked up articles of historical interest. Maori King’s House. The new house which is being built at the Ngaruawahia Maori pa for King Koroki is now almost completed, and will be ready for a ceremonial opening on March 18. Over 5000 Maoris from all parts of the country are expected to be at Ngaruawahia during the celebrations, and it is hoped that the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, will be present. The launching of ah old-time canoe, which has been repaired and fitted with new carving, will be an interesting feature of the ceremony. The canoe was sunk at the Waikato Heads during the Maori wars, but was recently brought to the Ngaruawahia pa by Princess Te Puea. Size of Classrooms.

The Manawatu branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, at a recent meeting of its management committee, entirely endorsed the institute’s policy of increased floor space. Instructions have already been issued by the Department of Education to all education boards’ that the standard size of classrooms in all new buildings and additions is. to be increased to 26 feet bv 24 feet. Given this size of room and classes from 30 to 35 pupils, it should be possible for teachers to develop their ideas of the “new freedom” along lines quite impossible in the rooms 24 feet by 21 feet which have.been recently built. It is felt, the branch states, that this is an outstanding educational achievement and a remarkable step towards the realising of many of the ideals in education and the Minister is to be congratulated on this progressive step.