UNREST IN INDIA

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1930, Page 14

UNREST IN INDIA

DOMINION STATUS WANTED. In spite of all the demands made by Gandhi and other native leaders, India is not yet ready to be granted full Dominion status. This is the opinion of the Rev. E. Palgrave Davy, who returned to Auckland this week after spending about a year in revisiting India. Mr. Davy has done considerable missionary work in India. He went there, first in 1892 and worked there, for 16 years. “I love the country and admire its people,” he said. “I would like to work there for the rest of my life.” India at present was very unsettled, Air. Davy said. It was perhaps unfortunate that statements had been made about Dominion status as they had awakened in some Indian native leaders the desire for complete secession from Great Britain. Britain was working steadily for the time when India could take up the burden of self-government, but that time had not yet arrived. Gandhi had a very large following, but many people were surprised that he had advocated secession from Great Britain. If-England were to withdraw from India the country would be plunged into a welter of internal strife. . In spite of unsettled conditions India was making steady progress and the growth of Christianity was proving a very real blessing to the country. There was a scheme on foot for the uniting of all the Christian Churcht/. in th south of India in an attempt to avoid overlapping and wasted effort. This was more than a mere mechanical movement for union. An excellent spirit existed among the Churches in India, and there was a really sincere desire for union.