The Daily News WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1932. THE OUTLOOK IN INDIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1932, Page 4

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1932. THE OUTLOOK IN INDIA.

The latest news from India is both a 'tribute and a warning. The various nationalities and warring religious sects that make up the population of that great dependency are united in one regard, and in that alone. They all admit the unswerving impartiality of British rule and its incorruptibility. It is one of the finest tributes paid to a century and a'half of overlordship that Indians themselves should expect British statesmen to devise practical ways and means for the “development of self-governing institutions with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible government in British India as an integral part of the Empire.” That development has been accepted by all political parties in Hrcat Britain as the basis of British policy. For its furtherance the Round Table Conference of Indian and British delegates was held in London. The conference made some progress in moulding the somewhat chaotic desires of India for political emancipation into a workable constitution, under which a federated India might evolve the first steps towards self-government. But although the conference proved a success for those who would discuss rather than denounce, for those who would construct rather than destroy, one fundamental cleavage proved beyond its power to weld or bridge. -The age-old rivalry of Hindu and Moslem for political supremacy is as keen as ever. The representatives of both were asked to evolve a plan of representation that would be just to each and to other smaller minorities upon which the existing laws and regulations of caste bear most heavily. The conference failed in this respect. There are many who would have said this failure was proof of incapacity for selfgovernment and that British overlordship must continue as in the past, The Government took the longer view. The Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, wound up the conference by urging that further attempts should be made by delegates and others upon their return to India, and he • added that if this were found impossible the Government would “reluctantly impose a settlement” so that the good work might not be held up. The negotiations in India have failed, and an appeal has been made for the settlement promised by Mr. MacDonald. It is a token of trust in the pledged word of Great Britain, and outweighs much of the noisy propaganda of Indian extremists. It comes after fresh proof has been necessary that sympathy with an almost unformed desire for political liberty will not suffer flouting of the law ox* attempts to rule by terrorism, and it comes spontaneously and with unanimity from the representatives of the whole of British India. Such trust has not been won easily, and such a manifestation is not an everyday occurrence. But though confidence in British integrity has been so extolled it would be foolish not to see that the circumstances which have driven Indian Raders to seek British aid are those which will make the development of selfgovernment a process demanding all that firmness, sympathy and patience can give. The Government’s determination to overcome Indian disability to evolve a scheme pf representation which all parties could accept will mean a provisional arrangement at best, and it is sure to cause some disappointment and heart-burnings. Upon the manner in which it is accepted will depend the chances of self-government growing with rapidity, and it must be confessed that the portents are not altogether favourable. Highly placed Europeans in India must still go armed about their lawful occasions, mischief makers are abroad among the turbulent tribes of the north-west frontier, passive resistance is greatly in evidence in the less turbulent areas, and race and caste distinctions are as difficult as evei’ to compose. To talk of a Federated India in such circumstances seems unreal and academic, to say the least. Yet the British. National Government, comprising all shades of political belief, is at one in regarding a federal constitution as the only intelligent outlook for India. Iler desire for self-government is-some-thing more than chaotic passion. The leaven of education is at work, and is spreading wider every year. Great Britain does not desire that India shall remain as a mere trophy of conquest or that orderly government shall always be imposed upon the dependency from without. The Imperial Government deliberately sought Indian aid to solve the problems of the future. . Because that aid has failed in one important task the “white man’s burden” will not be shirked. British statesmanship will be tested again in circumstances that are strange and unprecedented. Its past achievements warrant the belief that it will win through.

ECONOMY IN EDUCATION. Whatever may be the ultimate results of the Economy Commission’s report, it certainly has done well in stirring up public interest in important questions. It is a fine thing to have citizens gathering, as a large number did at. New Plymouth on Monday night, to discuss various aspects of the economies in education proposed by the commission, for it is eminently desirable that the details of the education system and the probable effect of the modifications suggested by the report should be thoroughly understood. But it is to be hoped that if meetings of this kind are to be held throughout the Dominion their promoters will see to it that their effect is to educate the public and to try to help the Government in the performance of an extremely difficult task. There can be no doubt as to the position the Economy Commission has had to. face. It is expected that when the public accounts are closed at the end of this month it will be found that the revenue has failed to meet the expenditure by at least £3,000,600. Unquestionably the position will be far worse during the coming financial year. Taxation already is a grievous burden, and its sources are being dried up. The Government next year will have to budget for a far smaller revenue from taxation; in fact, income from all sources will be down to bedrock. It will not be surprising if it turns out that the possible revenue for 1932-33 is less by £10,000,000 than that collected during the current year. Rigid economy will offer the only means of meeting the decline in income, and so far the commission has been able to suggest savings totalling about £3,000,000. This is the most important fact to be borne in mind by those who would criticise the commission’s proposals. It was with a full knowledge of what was impending that the Government sought the commission’s help, and it will welcome assistance from, any other competent quarter. Its business just now is to cut expenditure, and everyone who can suggest a saying is a friend of the Government. It is necessary therefore that those who do not agree with the commission’s proposals should do something more than raise thoir voices in protest, even if their objections appear to be well grounded. The commission proposes a saving of £ll,OOO by the abolition of agricultural instruction in primary schools. A good case can be made out for the retention of this system, but it would be helped considerably if someone would show how to save the £ll,OOO without touching this particular branch of the curriculum. It would be a fine thing if the school committees could have an increased allowance instead of a 10 per cent, cut, but again the question is whether, the saving of £lO,OOO can be made in another way. To argue that the education vote should be allowed to remain at a very high level because there has been depreciation in ■ the purchasing power of money since 1914 does not help the Government. Its difficulties are largely due to the fact that this country has been gambling with depreciated purchasing power, or inflated currency, instead of facing, realities, and now has to undergo hardship in order to get down to a justifiable level. It may be that vhe Economy Commission’s proposals to that end could be improved upon. If that is the case, then those who have improvements to suggest should speak, but there is no good purpose the purely destructive critic can serve.