INDIA'S PROBLEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20716, 8 November 1930, Page 10

INDIA'S PROBLEMS.

Although it is suggested that the round-table conference on Indian affairs is bound to have its unanimous demands granted, this gives little assurance that an easy solution will bo found for the problems it is called to discuss. Unanimity on all vital points is unlikely, since the delegates are not of one mind on them, and they cannot very well forget that the extremist Congress policy, which is unrepresented by reason of refusal to collaborate, has so considerable and reckless a following that even the most conciliatory plan cannot ensure the abolition of incendiary propaganda. On the other hand, surrender in any measure to these extreme demands would be very hazardous: a spirit of anarchy is abroad in India, although by no means universal, and there the lists may be set for a struggle ere long between Eastern and Western ideals. To fashion safeguards while giving freedom will bo very difficult. There is a further problem in the fact that India presents an inherent obstacle to safe self-government in the number and depth of its cleavages. Hindu and Moslem do not readily co-operate politically; their differences of religion tend to keep them apart and engender mutual suspicion. Besides, there are castes within castes among the Hindus—castes even among outcasts—and where "untouchables" are, the gift of fully democratic institutions is a doubtful boon. Two subjects, often confused, will engage tho attention of the conference ; one is the kind of constitution to be given to so diverse a country, the other relates to the status of the country thus unified. Both are likely to arouse partisan resentment in some quarter or other, the second subject particularly. The Congress party want separation from British control and contact: the rest talk of Dominion status —not easy of precise definition—but differ as to tho time when it ought to he enjoyed and the process by which it should come. To reach agreement of a sufficiently comprehensive sort to admit of laying down even "the general lines on which a constitution should be framed" is a heavy task.