THE REAL HINDU.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17173, 1 February 1930, Page 10

THE REAL HINDU.

CAN HE RULE HIM,SELF .’ TWO BOOKS ON INDIA. Before the British arrived in India, if a Sultan needed a workman, one of his officials seized the man in the streets or in his home, beat him if lie raised any objections, and paid him what lie thought lit —frequently he thought lit not to pay him at all. If a shopkeejier looked prosperous, charges would be trumped up against him, and lie would be legally deprived of his property. Rebellion was followed by ghastly reprisals. Nadir Shall, the Persian king who conquered Delhi in 1739, ordered a general massacre which lasted for nine hours, and plundered the city. Britain’s administration has made it possible for a workman to bargain for his work and demand iiis pay, and has secured property rights. Massacre and plunder have been unknown in India since the early occupation and the conquest by the British uf the ALahrnttns, against whom the new power'protected the Bengalis who now cry out for the old freedom. It is notable indeed that those areas outside British control asked for British protection against these fierce marauders. Nobody who knows India believes for one moment that the lot of tin: Hindu people would be any better, under native rule, than it was in 1700. There is the same clash of religions, the same racial hate and intolerance. Within live years the followers of Gandhi would be petitioning Britain to send an army to protect them. THE GOOD OLD DAYS. The author of this first book gives us a little history which should enlighten the apologists of Indian Swaraj. Here is what happened in Central India in ISl6: “A village was surrounded by Pin daris, and, terrified by the fate that had befallen the people of other districts, the men decided upon the desperate expedient of burning themselves with their wives and children. Hundreds of women in other villages, unable to endure existence after the infamies they had suffered, put an end to their lives. All the young girls were carried off ‘ tied three or four together like calves on a horse to be sold’.’’ Thuggee, or murder as a religion, and suttee, the burning of widows, lias been put down by the British, but the equally infamous marriages of elderly Hindus with children of 11 and 12 years of age have not been interfered with, unhappily for the Hindu race. Famine and banditry have been conquered, but it is hard to conquer a people’s own lusts. “‘Mother India,’’ by Margaret Alayo, naturally set the -Swarajists fuming. Old ladies of both sexes and all colors denounced it, and accused Miss Alayo of exaggeration, of yellow journalism, and of plain lying. The second of those two books on India defends Alias Alayo, giving the chapter and verse for her statements just as she did herself. The impartial reader will know which to believe, the documental evidence of the abuses which Miss Alayo exposed, or the hysterical shrieks of Hindus that such conditions do not exist. If we have to choose between Aliss Alayo and her friends, one of them with any axes to grind, all of them serious folk who give evidence as though they were on oath, and Air. Krishnamurti, whom are we to choose? Especially as Krishnamurti himself, with other Hindus, has condemned all those things of which Aliss Alnyo writes. It may be that the Hindu going to the United States or to Australia would find much to condemn, but at least we give our girl-children a chance to grow up. Aliss Mayo, according to the evidence in this book, has been accused of being anti-British, pro-British, anti-Hindu, pro-Aiahomc-dan, anti almost everything, and pro almost everything. There must be a good deal of truth in the lady who is accused by everybody. “India on Trial, A Study of Pre - sent Conditions,” by J. E. Woolacot. And “After ‘Alothcr India’,” by Harry H. Field. THE SOUTHERN HEAVENS. “Stars of the Southern Heavens,” by James Nagle, 0.8. E., F.K.A.S. (Angus and Robertson). To tlie normal eye there are visible about GOOD stars of differing size or magnitude dispersed in groups ranging from small dusters to full constellations. Nearly everyone can become the possessor" of a binocular field glass, or oven an old-fashioned pair of opera glasses. These will give unending pleasure and greatly aid a study of the stars. The purpose of Air. Nagle’s book is to describe in the main what is visible to the ordinary observer, and the’study will be found most fascinating. This book aims to be a guide to the beginner —to help him see with an understanding eye the wonders of these southern skies. LIFE IN PAPUA. “IN THE LAND OF THE DOHORT.” “In the Land of Dohori,” by Alice •Tcanctta Keelan (Angus ami Robertson), is the engrossing record of the daily life of the wife of a Resident Alagistrate in Papua; and, later, oi their experiences as settlers on the uplands of the interior. In one sense the book is unique. The authoress is ‘the first to reveal the daily life of the white woman living in that tropical land. Character sketches and anecdotes ol both the white and colored coinmunities as well as'sidelights on the Administration enrich a narrative that will take its place with “Sally in Rhodesia”, and “Mountains, Gold and Cannibals.”