India and its Future

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6728, 10 December 1931, Page 4

India and its Future

A TRIP TO THE EAST (By Mr. A. E. McGregor.) (Continued.) My next stage is a railway journey of nearly 900 miles, occupying over 24 hours, to Calcutta. As I said before, Calcutta is not a city to Jill one with enthusiasm —so 1 rejoined the ship with all speed. ‘'Perhaps it is presumptions on my part to have formed an opinion on so short a visit, but the longer one stayed tho more it seemed to be borne in on one that tho natives were untrustworthy. One seldom, sees a native smile, but remembers tho fierce look that is often oast upon one in the stroots. "This refers particularly to the Hindus. Two officials were murdered by tho hands of natives while I was in India, and two other unsuccessful attempts on lives were made. I think the groat body of Indians are indifferent, but they arc ignorant and would follow tho dictates of their leaders. It appeared to me that the Mohammedans were a bettor and nioro trustworthy typo than the Hindus. Tho latter class is by far tho more numerous. What little inquiry I was able to make, lod me to the conclusion that tho education of tho Indians had been at fault. It must bo remembered that the Hindus were and still are, idolaters.

"They had no outstanding example in any life of right and wrong, charity, kindness, gratitude, and the other virtues. The idea of a stranger performing an act of kindness towards them and not expecting a reward is unknown —dt is not understood. Gratitude, consequently, is almost unknown to them; therefore, the teachings of Jesus Christ and His example should have been incorporated in, and permeated, the whole of their education. The Mohammedans, on the other hand, recognise a spiritual G-od, and they follow t-lio teachings of their prophet which, I understand, are in some respects not unlike those of our Great Teacher. It would appear that this fact is responsible for their greater dependability. There aTe many other tribes or sects in India, but of these I know almost nothing. "The heat and the smells of India had tried us all, so we were glad when our ship’s prow was turned down! stream, and tho turbines sent up their tuneful hum. Six days brought us to Penang in Straits Settlement. Penang is a pleasant town of 116,090 people, 100 being whites. It- is the trading centre for the upper Straits Settlement, and part of Siam. Much of the trade is in the hands of Chinese, many of whom have lovely homes in the suburbs. We loaded several hundred tons of tapioca and left in tho evening for Singapore, which port we reached two days later. How fortunate Britain has been in the foresight of her early sailors, soldiers and governors! Who can estimate how much wo owe to Governor Raffles, but for whose strength of character and persistence against ignoranco and apathy the key of the Par East and the Pacific would have been lost to us, just as Java and Sumatra were lost. "The city of Singapore is on an island of the same name, and is surrounded by a large number of smaller islands. The Strait, which is the key to the East, is only 2-1 miles wide, and is fortified. The naval base is on the opposite sido of the island to the city of Singapore, on a narrow strait, between Singapore Island and Malay Peninsula. Singapore is a well built city with a very cosmopolitan population. It has an enormous shipping business, ships of all kinds and of all flags constantly passing in and out of its waters. Our cargo from Singapore was principally canned pineapple, of which article we loaded several hundred tons.

"Our nest port was Semarang, in .Java, a three days’ run. Semarang in many respects is like Gisborne. The harbour is a river between walls and moles, and it is only suitable for small craft. The larger ships lie out in the roadstead and are tendered by lighters. The town is flat with the river and canals running through, it, and there are low hills behind it on which the hotter class of residence is now being built. Like other Dutch towns, Semarang was clean. As in most Eastern towns the tramcars have three classes. We loaded a few hundred tons of kapok, peanuts and tapioca. ' Our next stops are Thursday Island, off Gape York, Australia, where we pick up the pilot for the Great Barrier run, and Oape Marlin, at the mouth of the Brisbane river, where we drop the pilot, and then Auckland. We aro now across the equator and aro beginning to get breaths of the refreshing S.E. trades wind. The sea is deep indigo broken in places by the splash of shoals of flying fish. W r o recognise many of the high mountains and islands that wo saw on the northbound journey. A. most interesting and pleasant tour is drawing to its close. "As so many other travellers have much to say about tho hotels and accommodation, it is unnecessary for me to say more than that thoy aro fair, bad and indifferent, as in other parts, but they do not give one as much fox

one’s money as in New Zealand. I have left the most important subject to the end of my notes. "The * Narbada ’ now has on board several thousand tons of cargo for New Zealand, but I do not think she took twenty tons from New Zealand—and whose fault is it? Undoubtedly our own! Here is an enormous market almost at our doors and apparently wo make no effort to share in it. What could we export? First, preserved milk. Nearly all the milk used in the East, as far as I could sec, was preserved. I noticed the brands on the store shelves were usually those of Switzerland, or Japan. Why do not our dairy associations or chambers of commerce take the matter up and send a. live man to investigate? Ho would have to bo able to speak Dutch, Malay and Hindustani!, or engage competent interpreters for each state. Ho should call at Java, Sumatra, Singapore, Penang, Siam, Rangoon and India. There is also a market for canned butter, canned or tinfoil-covered cheese, and, I believe, apples. I was. told that canned New Zealand butter used to bo procurable in Malay States and that it was very popular, but for some reason it dropped off the market.

"I noticed Australian preserved fruits, jams and peas on the provision store shelves. There Should also be a market for out canned tongues, meat, and possibly for hides or leathers. It would not be enough to make a shipment and then rest. Travellers or live agents would have to bo kept on the 'job as other countries are busy. The labels, of course, should be in English and the language of the country of destination. There are enormous populations in these countries and though many are poor and their wants few, very many are able to buy. I feel certain that there are good opportunities for trade if the matter is taken up vigorously and efficiently. New Zealand should not be behind in the race I’ ’