BRITISH RULE IN INDIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20041, 2 September 1920, Page 2

BRITISH RULE IN INDIA.

PRAISE* FROM RAMSAY MACDONALD. ENGLAND’S MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS, Tn view of J. Ramsay Macdonald’s reputation as an uncompromising radical ana-anti-imperialist, his criticism of British rule in India in “The Government of India ” seems surprisingly' mild, hot to say favourable, (says a reviewer of the book). Perhaps Iho author is better acquainted with the facts of the ca.se than the Hindu exiles in this country who are accustomed to dwell upon tho sufferings of their native country under British administration. Or, perhaps, he wishes to establish a reputation for sanity and moderation in case some future Liberal British Government may call upon him to accept a post ih connection with Indian I a flairs. j ENGLAND’S ACHIEVEMENTS. | If Mr Macdonald may be accepted as a reliable witness, England’s achievements in India are nothing short of monumental. • This vast country, with ■lfis approximately SOO,OCO,C(X) inhabitants, is held with a very slight exercise of military fore© through mere coufidoncQ in the goodwill of its foreign rulers. , The members of the Indian Civil, Service-—th© body that actually governs India-—are animated by the highest motives in discharging their duties. In the author’s opinion they have beep unwise iu opposing a more liberal distribution, of offices among, natives, but he is inclined to ascribe this attitude to a fear that efficiency of administration may decline if it is in-' trusted to unskilled hands. Air Macdonald makes a large number 6f suggestions for the liberalising and simplification of the governmental machinery of India. He advocates increasing participation of Hindus in the government of their country, a gradual extension of the principles of representative government, so far as they are compatible with Indian conditions, and a rearrangement Of England’s fiscal policy m regard to India. His suggestions aro generally moderate in tone, however, and many of them have been entirely or partially realised in the recent Montagu Chelmsford report. " Caste,” says the author, “ is by far and away the most predominating influence on Indian life.” Probably n6 one in the world is so miserable as the Indian pariah, or outcast, who is condemned from birth to a life of degradation and misery- Tho evil features of the caste system, however, are disappearing before a number of influences. Christianity and Mahometanare making converts at a fairly rapid rate, and these converts aro freed from the caste stigma. Moreover,, progressive and educated Hindus are rapidly coming to realise the blighting effects of casta upon their race’s development. Mr Macdoilald describes various currents in tbs nationalist sentiment of India.' He shows that the old breach between Moslem and Hindu is becoming healed, and that the Mahometans are making approaches to the Indian National Congress, from which they formerly held aloof. So far the organised Hindus and Mahometans constitute an. opposition to the Government—an opposition without power .or responsibility.. The author believes that, tlie path of the British officials would be made easier if this opposition were given an... opportunity to try its i hand at constructive measures. , : INCREASING. INDUSTRIAL : DEVELOPMENT. Mr Mardonald foresees that development of an Indian proletariat with tho increasing industrial development of the country Industrialisation has not . proceeded very far, bpt the erection of factories is already making inroads Upon the old simple agricultural life of India, organised about the village. Strikes are already becoming common in India, and Indian workmen are quite recep. tivs to Western methods of organisation. The author is convinced that England’s mission is to bring India gradually _to the status of a self-governing dominion. Ha sees and indicates the difficulties which lie in tho way of the mliievement of this ideal, but he believes that they can be overcome by firmness and patience. In the successful fulfillment of the mission he sees the future good both of England and of India.