PRINCE IM INDIA

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2075, 16 March 1922, Page 5

PRINCE IM INDIA

ROYAL VISIT REVIEWED. NO INFLUENCE ON POLITICAL CRISIS. SOME STRAIGHT TALK [By Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received "Wednesday S p.m.) DELHI, March 14. A special press representative with the Prince, reviewing the tour and the present position of affairs, says the arrest of Gandhi and the resignation of Mr. Montagu overshadowed the closing scenes of the Prince’s visit. In official circles, civil and military, the hope has again arisen that the Government has at last determined on a firm policy of suppression of rebellion, and protection of loyal Indians, and the sweeping,,away of the atmosphere of suspicion, and uncertainty, that is poisoning all services. He hears on all sides such expressions as: “We are in for an explosion when the Prince leaves.” Let vis get it over, dear the air and end this uncertainty which is paralysing the whole official •and commerical life of India!” He declares that a crisis is inevitable, and urges the need of dealing firmly with the Gandhists’ agitation. He declares the Prince’s tour has not influenced the political situation one way or the other, and it is idle to assert that the Prince’s personalty has been felt by the majority of people, as he has seen little, in fact nothing of the bulk of the natives precautionary measures for his safety preventing free intercourse with them. It is a mistake to think ho has won a single convert from the Gandhisl movement. The correspondent alsc points out that His Highness's passage through the British governed portions of the country, was characterised by boycotts varying in extent, and fighting in Bombay and Madras. The Prince acquitted himself in his delicate and difficult task with characteristic tact, and made the right impression on the native rulers. U has been suggested that if he had been permitted to go openly througT five bazaars, even during the hartals, 11 would have caused a reaction of feci- | ing - in his favour on the part of th£ | impressionable natives who would have acclaimed him as a populai hero, but the writer is unable to say how far this If justified. The tom however, in no sense lias been a failure, and the correspondent cannot sec how in the circumstances it conic have been a greater success. DURBAN HARTAL FAILS. (Received Thursday, 2 a.m.) CAPETOWN, March 15. The Indian Congress at Durban at tempted to enforce a hartal as a marl of sympathy in connection with Gandhi’s" arrest. Stores wore closed ii some Indian quarters, but the India! workers generally ignored the order. INDIANS IN FIJI. SUGAR OUTLOOK BAD.. (Received Wednesday, 7 p.m.) SUVA. March 15. The Indian Commission vis'.tinf Fiji has practically concluded its lab ours and is returning to India afte. the arrival of Governor Rodwell or the- 25th inst. The results are be lieved to be unfavourable. Tin members of the Commission do no favour Indian immigration for lab our, but this is a settlement of tin problem which will not help tin planters, who arc generally averse t< a settlement scheme without a labou condition. Mr Sharma, speaking at Nadi, ad vised the Indians to burn in eflig: the Colonial Sugar Refining Company Delegates state they are still negotiat ing with the company regardinj wages. The Europeans strongly op pose the equal status proposals, am meetings are suggested to encourag European instead of Indian settle ment and oppose the Indian claim i'o equal status. Very few Indians ac cepted the reduced rate of pay of fered by the company, and are work ing their own rice fields and farms The sugar outlook is pessimistic, un less sufficient labour becomes avail able.