CONDITIONS IN INDIA

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1929, Page 27 (Supplement)

CONDITIONS IN INDIA

TEA PLANTER’S OBSERVATIONS. NATIVES WELL TREATED. During the course of a talk with a reporter on growing and preparing tea for the market, Mr. Hugh Webb, who controls an extensive plantation in Assam, India, had some interesting comments to make on the scope of his work outside the actual field and factory operations. “To be a successful planter,” said Mr. Webb, “a man lias to be much more than a manager. He has to be a ‘Jack of all trades.’ He has to know something of medicine, and be able to act as a magistrate. With a labour force of about 2000 coolies on the estate it is only to be expected that quarrels will arise in some form or another. Practically every morning aggrieved parties appear before me for the settlement of some kind of a dispute. Io the white man this is usually of a trivial nature, but the native takes the matter more seriously and invariably seeks the guidance of his sahib, whom on these occasions he addresses as Mai-Bap, which means in Hindustani 'father and mother.’ So you sec I have a very large family to look after! “The same applies, of course, to the managers of other estates. So long as the native knows his. sahib is being fair and just he will give him the utmost loyalty. In some quarters, I believe, it is thought that the natives on the plantations are harshly treated, but this I can assure you is contrary to the truth as far as the tea estates-are concerned. Managers realise that the natives arc little more than children in many ways, and have to be treated with kindness and consideration, but also with firmness. A great deal is being done for them. Hospitals have been erected on all the estates and these are in charge of Dr Babus (natives holding medical diplomas). These in turn are under the eye of European medical officers who visit the'hospitals once a week. We realise that in looking after these people, settling their disputes, and attending them in sickness, we are keeping them happy and contented and in this way are doing, I think, our little bit for the British Empire.” Questioned as to the possibility of home rule for India, Mr. Webb stated that the better class Indians realised that eventually it must come, but it was ridiculous to think it could be brought about right away. It was realised in many quarters that if the British Raj left India to-day the warlike tribes, such as the Afghans, Pathans and Sikhs#

would sweep down and annihilate tie studious tribes like the Bengalis. In t e meantime, however, manv concessions had been granted. Certain portfolios were allotted to native Ministers, and tins seemed a step in the right direction. “India is working.. steadily along vo-

wards self-government within the Em* pire,” said Mr. Webb in conclusion, "and; f in the meantime the Britisher is en-dl deavouring, by tact and to help the native and to keep him] contented and so lay the foundations a deeper loyalty in the years to come-'J