POLICY IN INDIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18017, 16 February 1922, Page 7

POLICY IN INDIA.

MR. MONTAGU ATTACKED.

REPLY BY PRIME MINISTER

NO CAUSE EOR PANIC.

NEW IDEALS IN THE EAST.

By TeleiTiph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 7.27 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Feb. 14. A debate on the situation in India was initiated in the House of Commons to-day by Sir William Jovnson-Hicks (Unionist), who moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply declaring that the present unrest and lawlessness in India were the direct result of tho administration of tho Secretary of State, Mr. E. S. Montagu, in the last three years. Not long ago, said Sir William, Mr. Montagu stated that he was proud to call Mr. Gandhi his friend. No good was being done by placating enemies. We had sent the finest Civil Service to India, and Mr. Montagu had broken its heart.

Mr. Rupert Gwynno (Unionist), seconding the amendment, declared that Mr. Montagu had used all his influence on the side of tho agitators, and had discouraged the loyal population. His continuanco in office was a grave peril to Britain's position in India.

Mr. Montagu, replying, said that his friendship for Mr. Gandhi ccased from the time the latter became the mischievous person that he was to-day. Mr. Montagu frankly and freely admitted the gravity of tho situation in India., which, he said, was largely due to tho steady growth of race consciousness, which had been going on for decades, probably centuries. This race

consciousness had been evidenced throughout iho world since the war. It was impossible to keep the world in watertight compartments.

I Another great cause of trouble was the world's economic position. India was , highly taxed and very poor, and prices | were very high. The remedy for economic 1 trouble was the development of industrial j and agricultural a resources, which was J being rendered difficult by disturbances.

Effect ol Turkish Peace Delay. "A further of unrest was the delay in arriving at peace with Turkey. He never claimed that India should dictate to Britain the terms of peaoe with Turkey, but Turkey was largely defeated by the help of Indian troops, and India was entitled to every consideration in the ultimate peace. Bolshevik propaganda contributed to the unrest, but steps to counteract this had been very successful.

On the political side there was dissatisfaction with the Government of India Act. There was every reason to believe that it was working well, and there was hope for the future.

Mr. Montagu went on to say that, personally, he had always adopted tho principle that it was impossible for the Secretary of State to ensure law and order in Indi% from London. He denied that the Government had exempted Gandhi from arrest. The Government of India a few days ago ordered Gandhi's arrest, but Gandhi and his colleagues had since decided not to pursue civil disobedience and political activities. The Government of India, therefore, had postponed its proceedings. The Government's present policy was the maintenance of the integrity of the British Empire, coupled with the granting of opportunity for developing full self-government by India. "If tho Indian people, thinking we contemplated a retreat from India, issue a challenge," concluded Mr. Montagu, "t'aey will find the challenge accepted by the most determined people in the world.

Mr. Lloyd George, winding up the debate, said there was no cause for panic, and we must not lose our sense of proportion. It was ureless to trace the origin of the disturbances to something which occurred only two or three years rfgo. Tho great Western ideas of liberty had gradually become tho ideals of the Indian people. The fierce wines of the West were being pat into the older bottles of the East, where the people were accustomed to a milder vintage. The war bad created unrest and disturbance in every land. The firm hand of British rule alone prevented a catastropho in India. No Thought oI Withdrawal.

It, would bo an enormous advantage if peace could be made with Turkey, continued Mr. Lloyd George. Lord Curzon, in the next few days, hoped to take up tho matter with tho Allies with tho view of arranging a satisfactory peace. Ihe Only way of dealing with the economic situation in India was to establish peace throughout the whole world by international effort and to reconstruct trade. That was why an Indian representative had been invited to assist at the Genoa Conference. He did not know whether the critics of the Government suggested that the experiment in self-government should bo scrapped. It ought to be made clear that) we intended the experiment to have every) chance, but the experiment in democratic government in India must bo gradual, as it had been in Europe. "Under no circumstances or conditions," added Mr. Lloyd George, "do we propose to withdraw or impair the full sovereignty of the King-Emperor. (Cheers.) When Britain occupied India she accepted a great trust. We cannot divest ourselves oi that trust without dishonour. There is nothing between India and confusion except British rule. 'Hie amendment was defeated by <s'IO votes to 64, and the Address-in-Reply was agreed to. Because it had not been given an opportunity to participate in the Indian debate till 15 minutes beforo the division the Labour Tarty as a protest left the chamber without voting.