Position in lndia

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18030, 27 May 1930, Page 5

Position in lndia

MINISTERIAL REVIEW.

TRADE CONDITIONS SOUND

GENERAL SITUATION EASIER.

AN APPEAL FOR CO-OPERATION

(Official Wireless.) (Received May 27, 12 noon.) RUGBY, May 26. The situation in India was discussed in the House of Commons this evening during the debate on the India Office vote. Captain Wedgwood Benn (Secretary for India) said, despite newspaper headlines, the vast majority of Indian people in the urban areas and certainly in the rural areas, pursued daily their avocations under the benevolence of settled and ordered Government. It was true, that it was a governmental machine designed by English hands, but it was to-day mainly operated by Indian hands, not only in positions of high control but almost exclusively in its subordinate branches. • \ k Statistical Position. Dealing statistically with some aspects of national life, the Minister said there were few countries in the world that In the matter of external trade could give a better showing than India. Last year private trading in merchandise showed an available balance of £50,000,000 and in the four preceding years the trade balance was equally good. As regards public expenditure, last year’s Budget closed with a balance on the right side and although it was found that on the basis of existing taxation there would be a deficiency, the Government of India with the support of the Legislative Council, resented a Budget which would at any rate balance and perhaps show a surplus. It would also maintain in the eyes of the world the, solid financial position in which India had always stood. Last week the Government floated a loan of £7,000,000, which was over-subscribed.

The prices of Indian securities on the London market were higher now than they were on January 1, despite all events which had occurred In the meantime.

AlthougTi there was a large public debt in India, 80 per cent, was represented by production assets. Remarkable progress had been made with the electrification of the railways. Twenty-eight million acres of nearly 13 per cent, of the whole crop of India ‘had been brought under irrigation at a cost of £75,000,000 and when schemes now under construction were completed the total area under irrigation would he nearly 40,000,000 acres.

Regarding the trade and industrial position generally during the last 20 years, India’s overseas trade had nearly doubled. In agriculture the number of members of co-operative credit societies had increased from 300,000 to 3,500,000. Those who rightly desired to uplift the peasant or industrial worker should not overlook the magnificent work carried on by Englishmen In co-operation with Indians, under the present constitution In India. In.the last 10 years more progress has been made in industrial legislation than in the preceding 50 years. Self-Government Development. Dealing with the development of relations between the Home Government and the Government of India, the Minister pointed out the growth of selfgovernment in the British Commonwealths had been carried out in various forms. The Government of India was looking more and more for approval and support of the Legislature and Indian public opinion for the really effective lasting growth of a measure of selfgovernment. The military force in India consisted of an army, air force and marines and there had been no material change in strength since it was re-j organised after the war.

Recent Disturbances,

Proceeding, the Minister alluded to recent disturbances which had been confined to urban districts, and generally speaking the Mohammedans had held aloof. The disturbances might be described accurately as sporadic rather than general. In some recent resolutions passed by the Congress Working Committee at Allahabad a proposal was made that these disturbances should he extended. So far the resolutions had not been put int,o effective force, and it was not,the intention of Government that they, should be permitted to be made effective. Referring to the position in the North-West frontier province and in the tribal areas the Minister said since April the disturbances in Peshawar had been quiet and normal life had been, or was being, resumed, but outside Peshaw'ar, the centre of the disturbance, trouble was being caused by a leader called Hadji, or Turangzai, and his son, who had settled themselves in the hills north-east of Peshawar. Action was being taken against them, and w'as proving effective.

On the whole the tribal situation had greatly improved.

There had been no hostile movements of any tribe as a whole. Captain Wedgwood extended his sympathy to the district magistrates and officers of the local governments, and the Government of India in their difficulties and dangers, and said that in this matter, as in all others there had never 'been between the Government and the Viceroy anything but relations of warmest understanding and strongest support. He looked forward to the day when Indian liberty should be enlarged, and she should take hter place as a full self-governing dominion. Within a very few weeks we should have the Simon report, and the next stage was a conference to consider the question of constitutional advance and co-operation of those who could speak authoritatively for the opinion of British India and Indian States. Speaking of the statement, of the Viceroy the Minister said.; M That this

policy stands as a goal Is acceptedJbY all parties, but there are’ 1 difficulties on the way to the goal. Those difficulties do not exist exclusively or mainly on this side. They are largely Indian difficulties, arid it is from Indian opinion we must seek the solution." The Minister added:

“ I make bold to say that If at this conference substantial agreements are reached no Government will be likely to ignore Its work.’*

For many years the two countries had been linked together for the undoubted well-being of (both. Was it too much to hope that bitterness might now be cast, out, so that the future might see the rebirth of mutual understanding and of strength. The Governments of India’s appreciation of the situation up to May 24 states the tribal situation on the North-west frontier is definitely easier, and the internal situation in the North-west province shows improvement. The chief weapon of the anti-Government agitators is now the dissemination of false reports, but active steps are being taken to counter these statements and give further information. Regarding the riot at Mymensingh (Bengal) on May 14, when a large hostile mob, failing in an attempt.to prevent the delivery of excise liquor to vendors, attacked the magistrate, police and excise staff with brick-bats, percussions, warnings, and charges by the police failing to secure the dispersal of the modi which continued its violent attacks, the police were ordered to fire. About 40 injured Government servants and 53 rioters were treated at the hospital, of whom cne died. No Serious Outbreak. During the week under review, there has been no serious outbreak, but in several places the police have had to disperse disorderly crowds in Sholapur. Conditions are fast becoming normal, and it is hoped that martial law may shortly be discontinued. Persistent efforts to spread hostile propaganda in the Punjab villages continue. Apparently the villagers have been little affected, except in Cujarat, where the situation is causing anxiety. The chief feature of the campaign against the salt laws has been a change of tactics in the Boirfbay Presidency. Technical breaches of the law have been largely abandoned in favour of mass action. These tactics definitely failed at Shiroda, where the raids have been abandoned. They achieved a temporary success at Wasala on May 18, but subsequent attempts failed. The chief efforts of the Congress have been made at Dharasana on 'May 21. A crowd estimated at 2600 tried to force their way in. The attempts failed, thanks to the skill and endurance shown by the police and the timely arrival of troops; also the moral effect of their presence gave muohneeded relief to the police. On May 22 the police cleared ,the Congress camp and the position is now quiet, although there are reports that the attempts will shortly be renewed. False Reports. Congress continues their policy of disseminating deliberately false reports and rumours and every effort is being made by Congress by means of propaganda to stimulate anti-Govern-ment and racial feelings. The assurance given to minorities by the Viceroy on May 13 continues to receive their warm approval, which is increasing in strength. As they appreciate the implications of the methods of j mass action as now practiced by Congress the conviction is growing among Mohammedans that the civil disobedi-. ence movement is opposed to their interests and security. Labour ia at present steady. j

A Mild Soene. There was a mild scene when Cap- v tain Wedgwood ißenn was speaking. Mr A. Fenner Brockway (Labour, Leyton) asked: What is the duty of the Labour Government? Captain Wedgwood Benn: ,To carry, on the government. Mr. W. Brown (Labour, Bolton): I* this Government to carry on the dirty work of British Imperialism? j Disorder and cries of “ Shame I **