INDIA

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 1 March 1921, Page 17

INDIA

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S VISIT. DELHI. February 19. The Duke of Connaught at Rawal Findi held the greatest Indian military review of recent years. It included 20,000 representatives of the Northern Army. The Duke took the salute. H.It.H. departed privately for Bombay, where the extrem ists are trying to arrange a boycott. In consequence of the students following Gandhi in his non-co-operation propaganda, the annual convocation of Calcutta University for conferring degrees lias been abandoned sine die. February 21. The Duke of Connaught is visiting Bombay. As a result of the Non-co-operation propaganda, almost a complete hartal is being observed. The city shops are closed, and few vehicles are plying in the streets ; nevertheless great crowds along the decorated route to Government House heartily cheered the Duke’s progress. February 22. The Duke of Connaught opened the' Legislative Council at Bombay, thus completing his mission to India. In honour of this visit the Government remitted the compensation due from Ahrnadabad for damages caused to property during the outbreak there in April. 19i9. The non-co-operators’ hartal at Bombay continues. Business is practically at a standstill, and the street traffic is held up. CHILD LABOUR IN INDIA. DELHI, February 20. The Legislative Assembly adopted a resolution in favour of the ratification of the Washington Labour Convention, and negatived a motion to make the labour age of children eleven instead of twelve. The council agreed to legislate giving effect to the resolution of the convention. February 21. The Council of State has ratified the draft convention of the Washington Labour Conference. SERIOUS RELIGIOUS AFFRAY. DELHI, February 22. A serious religious affray occurred at Nakana, near Lahore. There were many Sikh casualties. The bodies of the victims were burnt. The British and Indian troops are isolated in the town. A large number of Sikhs threaten to attack Nakana and avenge the deaths of their fellow religionists. The Lahore officials are inquiring into the outbreak. The suspected leaders have been arrested. February 23. An official communique from Lahore states that no fewer than 67 Sikhs were killed in the Nankana affray. Die troops have been withdrawn, but a large police force remains.

The Government will not retaliate, but will help in detecting and punishing the raiders. The Government realises that a savage crime has been committed, and it is determined to do all it can to bring the criminals to justice. The shrine has been given into the care of a prominent Sikh gentleman. NEW SPIRIT OF NATIONALISM. DELHI, February 22. In connection with the. opening of the Bombay Legislative Council the Governor, in the course of a speech welcoming the Duke of Connaught, referred to the newlyarisen spirit of nationalism in India. There was a restless eagerness for corporate progress, and the people were impatient at restraint, which, while it contained the possibility of temporary dangers, afforded the first and sure hope of the success of our policy. The Duke of Connaugh again urged and demanded the sinking of racial and sectarian differences and the working in union. TRAMWAY STRIKE ENDED. DELHI, February 24. The strike among the tramwaymen in Calcutta, after lasting for a month, has ended, the company having undertaken to investigate the grievances. Non-co-operator agitators fomented a strike among the Karachi shipbuilders. Diev formed a society called the Proletariat Emancipation Society. A meeting of Indian merchants reaffirmed their decision not to take delivery of goods which had been ordered or to meet liabilities until the exchange is stabilised and the value of the rupee rises to 2s. RAILWAYMEN REST! VE. DELHI, February 24. The trouble at Na.gpur was the outcome of the non-co-operatives’ activities. The crowds stoned the police when the latter were trying to dispel them with drawn swords. Many were injured in the melee. The mob raided and demolished a number of liquor stores. Troops are guarding the civil population, and reinforcements are arriving. A meeting of European and Indian railwaymen at Allahabad declared in favour of a strike on Monday unless their demands are granted. A Committee of Inquiry has been appointed. The situation at Tonk is still unsettled, and more arrests have been made. An official inquiry is proceeding as to the cause of the trouble. February 26. Lucknow reports that the traffic and Tiffining staffs of the Oudh-Rohilkhand railway have struck. An extension of the trouble is expected.