INDIA’S PROBLEMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 424, 15 November 1930, Page 13 (Supplement)

INDIA’S PROBLEMS

Although it is suggested that the round tai <c conference on Indian af fairs is leund to have its unanimous demands granted, this gives little assurance that an easy solution will be found for the problems it is called to discuss. Unanimity on all vital points is unlikely, since the delegates arc not of one mind on them, and they cannot very well forget that the extremist Congress policy, which is unrepresented by reason of refusal to collaborate, has so considerable and reckless a following that even tho most conciliatory plan cannot ensure the abolition of incendiary propaganda. On the other hand, surrender in any measure to these extreme dcmauff< would be very hazardous: a spirit of anarchy is abroad in India, although, by no means universal, and there the lists may be set for a struggle ere long between Eastern and Western ideals. To fashion safeguards while giving freedom will be very difficult. There is a further problem in the fact that India presents an inherent obstacle to safe self government in tho number and depth of its cleavages. Hindu and Moslem do not readily cooperate politically; their differences of religion tend to keep them apart and engender mutual suspicion. Besides, there are cast;., within castes among the Hindus —castes even among outcasts —and where “untouchables” [are, the gift of fully democratic institutions is a doubtful boon. Two subjects, often confused, will engage tho I-.t tent ion of the conference; one is the ‘ kind of constitution to bo given to so diverse, a country, the other relates to the status of tho country thus unified. Both are likely to arouse partisan resentment in some quarter or other, the second subject, particularly. The. Congress party want separation from British control ami contact: the rest talk of Dominion status—not easy of precise definition —but differ as to the time when it ought to be enjoyed and tho process by which it should come. To reach agreement of a sufficiently comprehensive sort to admit of laying down even “the general lines on which a constitution should be framed’’ is a heavy task. —New Zealand Herald.