PUNJAB OFFICIAL'S VIEW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13451, 30 May 1907, Page 5

PUNJAB OFFICIAL'S VIEW.

NO SERIOUS TROUBLE LIKELY. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN correspondent.] Duotbet, Wednesday. Sir David Masson, who is* Lieutenanti Colonel commanding the First Punjab j Volunteer Rifles, lion. A.D.C. to the Viceroy of India, and a. member of the Punjab Legislative Council, arrived at the Bluff yesterday, accompanied by Lady Masson and his daughter. Tine Visitors proceed to Queenstown on Thursday, and will j afterwards visit the Northern towns before returning to Lahore, via Sydney and i Brisbane. Sir David is thoroughly well versed in Indian affairs. Speaking to a represen jtative of the Southland Times, to-day. hi 1 expressed the opinion that there is abso lutely no reason to fear that the presew unrest in India portend? any 6erious nativi Idisturbance. Ho is a resident of Lahore I whence come the disquieting reports, anc | he is confident that the people as a whole |do not sympathise with the agitation. Thi ; agitation is, of course, in the direction ol j securing to Indians a measure of self-go-vernment and the right .to elect members to.the Legislative Councils of their various provinces. In Sir David's opinion India will .sot be ready for a popular franchise for the next 100 years. There are over 300,000,000 of people in India, and only a few hundred thousands are educated. - The masses of the people take no interest in political questions, and do not care who governs them so long as their rents are fairly.low. .The Legislative Councils at present are nominated by the Government, but various native universities have the privilege of nominating representatives for the approval of the Government. An experiment in the way of popular franchise 'has been made in connection with the city municipal elections, but the result, irt Sir David's opinion, is disappointing. The Indians, when elected, often seek office simply to gain a little self-importance, but. have "no public spirit, and do not justify their election by discharging the duties) >f their office.

The present agitation, he added, is confined to a section of what might be termed I the educated classes. The educated Indian gentleman is remarkably cultured and intellisent, well read and accomplished, and fit to take up any position,in the| land. There are others, ; however, who ] appeal to the uneducated, and by starting; this agitation desire to create the invpres- '. sion that there was a. tremendous desire for self-Government and popular elections, Their object in doing this is purely mercenary-, as success , would secure to them the plumes of office. Sir David savs that as. Ion" a? the Indian army remains loyal—and it is loyal now, foevoml doubt.— need be mo fear of any Indian trouble becoming acute.