BRITAIN’S TASK IN INDIA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17640, 2 December 1931, Page 10

BRITAIN’S TASK IN INDIA

CHAOS II? WE LEFT TOO SOON SIB. J. SIMON TELLS AMERICA LONDON. Oct. 15. “Britain came to India at a time v. hen India was in chaos. If Britain withdrew precipitately from India, e-lHtos would return.’’ Sir John Simon, who was chairman (l r )!,(• India Commission, uttered this warning last, night, in a talk on the India’ii problem, broadcast to America. JtofcrrinK to the complexities of Hie problem, be said that even if the problem were confined to the rocon-,-Uintion of Hindu and Mohammedan points of view it would still lie one of the most complicated tasks imacinal.de. “A settlement between Hindu and Moslem claims imposed from without," he said, "would have little prospect of success or permanence; agreement bet ween them is the only secure basis: and there is no object more dear to the heart of any Englishman who really desires to help along Indian peace and progress than that the spokesmen of these two communities should come together and agree how, In any new constitution, their claims and representations are to be. adjusted."’

PRINCES AND OUTCASTS. Apart from this fundamental issue, they must bear in mind how much else must he provided for before the ground plan of a new* Federal Constitution for all India, could begin to take shape. One-third of Indian soil and nearly a quarter of the Indian population were outside British India altogether.

These were the realm of the 500 Indian States —some of them great territories corresponding to a European country—ruled over by an Indian Prince who was in treaty alliance, with the King-Emperor, to whom lie was attached by unquestioned fealty. "Now pass from the consideration of these powerful rulers* to the other end of the social scale, to the very bottom," went oil Sir .John, “and eon - aider the, case of the many millions of the depressed classes —50,000,000 of them —scattered over tlm face of every part of India, outcasts from the caste, system of the Hindus, living under degrading social conditions which have been imposed upon them by nncierit custom, but which are utterly opposed to every conception of democracy. No future constitution of India could possibly be worthy of the name of responsible self-government which did not-give them an adequate voice."

India did hot present a single problem which could be disposed of by dwelling on an aspiration or devising a formula. It presented a vast bundle of most difficult questions in which, in India’s own interests, the friendly and practical co-operation of Britain was essential.

BRITAIN’S CONTRIBUTION. After tracing Britain’s part in helping India towards responsible selfgovernment, Sir Joint said: “It is a part, for which no Englishman has reason to be ashamed, for, Whatever mistakes may have been made, British policy has been steadily directed to that end.

“What all progressive Englishmen Dope* to see is that we may he able to contribute, out of our own experience and our own constructive statesmanship, to tli«* further progress of India towards the goal that has been set before her. "Do not believe those who toll you that Britain is obstructive and unyielding. Site has contributed much, for she lias helped 1o establish order, and n belief in impartial justice, and a high standard of disinterested administration.

"But great as lias been her contribution on the material and objective side, there is a greater contribution still which may now he provided by friendly ooropopalion and mutual goodwill. For India, needs more than ever the wise understanding and disinterested friendship of the West to achieve her ultimate destiny in the East.”