INDIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18455, 17 January 1922, Page 4

INDIA.

It is impossible to view the position in India without some degree of anxiety. To what extent the native is disaffected must be a matter..of conjecture, But, regarded in the katet unfavourable light, the unrest which is being manifested in the country and of j which evidences have synchronised with the visit of the Prince bf Wales .to imcities must excite feelings of concern in the minds of v all who are desirous of the preservation -of "the Imperial raj. It would be idle to pretend that the propaganda for which Mr Gandhi is responsible has not worked serious harm .amongst a large section ,of the Indian masses. It may be accepted, also, 'as highly probable, that, as the Aga Khan, the head of the Mahomedans in India, has said, the policy of the Allies towards Turkey has contributed to the growth of an anti-British sentiment throughout all Islam. In the ( circumstances, the task of the Government in India is one that demands the exercise of a great deal of tact. There is a, large amount of inflammable material lying about, and there is a very grave danger lest a conflagration may be started through an act? of- official carelessness. Mr Srinavasa Sastri, who was one of the delegates from India at the Conference of Prime , Ministers in Great Britain last year, haV described the normal character of India as "one of profound loyalty and attachment to the Throne." Mr. Sastri tells us that " that character has been tested 'by mutiny and war, by political excitement and .bitter racial strife," .that it "has baffltd Bolshevists, and the dogs of martial law," and that "every time it has proved itself." it is gratifying to receive assurances tiuch as, these from such, a source, but we confess that it would have been more encouraging to the belief that they are entirely reliable if the Indians had more eagerly > received the ; constitutional changes which have been introduced in their country? Considerable masses of , these people are pressing forward rather j impetuously towards ,the goal of complete self-government, but the simplemindedness with which they yield to the persuasions of eloquent word-spin-' ners, who play "upon their prejudices and their susceptibilities,- does not suggest that they are yet prepared for a wider, measure of autonomy than has been provided for them. - Nor do the " demonstrations " and other'strange proceedings which are, organised by them in protest! against the existing order of things really Constitute any valid \ proof of their * capacity for shouldering the fullest responsibilities of government. 'The building of the India of the future mus,t, it was sagely observed in The Times" of a recent date, proceed according to' plan, and , Great Britain would be false to her trust if she permitted the work to be rushed.