10
CANADA AND INDIA
the British Empire is apparently a disqualification. I do not wish to speak of retaliation, but, in my humble opinion, no so-called reciprocity will be worth anything if the colonist be not taught to respect the golden rule and to realize that the Indian's country is not for him to exploit at his sweet will. I have every hope that since out of evil cometh good, one beneficial result of this war will be that racial antagonism will to a large extent dle out, and the white man will recognize that the brown or black man who fought side by side with him and shed his blood without stint does not deserve to be, and cannot be, despised. The time is coming for the adjustment of our differences in a true statesmanlike spirit, which will not divorce morality from politics and which will steer clear not only of all petty selfish prejudices, but also of all narrow, short-sighted, and degrading considerations. A fair settlement is all that we ask for.-Dr. Satish Chandra Banerji, in the Indian Review.
QUESTION UNDER CONSIDERATION.
In regard to the "representation" referred to in the above article, and which was reprinted in full in the preceding number of Canada and India under the title "The Statua of Indians Within the Empire," this statement is made in the Indian Review, July: "In connection with the me morial submitted to the Government on the question of the position of Indians in the colonies, and particularly in Canada, by the United Provinces Congress Committee, a reply has been received from the Government of the United Provinces, which says the whole question is under con- sideration of the Government of India, and matters dealt with in the memorial will receive their earnest attention in any negotiations which may be undertaken with the Colonial Governments with a view to arriving at a satis- factory solution of the difficulties which have arisen,"
EMIGRATION AFTER THE WAR. The following expression of opinion regarding Indian emigration has an added interest because taken from an Anglo-Indian paper: "The Governments of the Dominions must be prepared to cope with that spirit of adventure, and If they are wise they will prepare well beforehand, not in the old compromising spirit, but in a desire to deal justly and honourably with a proud race. The Government of India, too, must prepare by affording facilities for opening up Mesopotamia, that land of ancient glory and fertility, and by encouraging enterprise in the borderlands of India. It must remove restrictions that hamper the mobility of labour and operate against industries that need workers. But when the Government of India has done all that la possible to do to keep the labour it so badly needs itself In India, there will still remain a number of adventurous souls who will turn to distant lands. These are the men with whom our Dominions must deal, and if the bitterness of the past is to be avoided an early endeavour should be made to arrive at a fair and honourable scheme for their admission. Calcutta "Englishman."
INDIA IN FINAL WAR SETTLEMENT. Commenting on why India should have a voice in the final settlement of the issues of this war, the Bombay Chronicle says:
"In view of the beginning that has already been made in the new relations of intimate confidence and consulta- tion with the Dominions, it is but natural that India should not only expect a measure of confidence to be extended to her, but that she should be anxious to know why responsible Ministers are toth to assure her equally with the Dominions that her aspiration will not be ignored. One would prefer to leave the public discussion of these matters on one side at the present moment, and there is every desire to avoid controversy and embarrassment to the Government, but what is to be done when we find the Minister in charge of the interests of the colonies going out of his way amidst the plaudits of the public to announce the new rights and privileges to be enjoyed by the Dominions as a direct re- sponse to their services and loyal devotion to the Mother Country in the war, while the Minister for India is silent as to the part which India is to be allowed to play? In the face of the loquacity of Mr. Bonar Law, the silence of Mr. Chamberlain is likely to be given a sinister interpreta. tion in this country. It is incumbent upon the Secretary of State to announce whether India is to be consulted or not, even if he is not prepared to tell us in what form she will be represented in the Imperial Council Chamber."
WHAT BRITAIN SHOULD DO.
Now, what is the dominant note of the French civiliza- tion? It is Hberty, equality, and fraternity. Perhaps it stands on ar even higher moral plane than the British civilization. This high standard of moral conception of human relationship was attained by the French nation after it had passed through the volcanic stage of the Revo- lution. It is the next higher stage to the ideal aimed at by British culture, and is not antagonistic, but allied to it. The whole system of French Government is based on the recognition of this ideal, and the spirit of its administra-
October, 1915
tion is permeated by it. In the words of Mr. Cloudesley Brereton in the Hibbert Journal, in the modern French Empire, there is no second-class citizens. Rightly or wrongly, there is no colour line in French citizenship. The Inhabitant of Senegal, of Tahiti, or Madagascar, is treated, is regarded, just as much a French citizen as the inhabit- ants of Paris or Marselles; and, what is more important, he regards himself as such, and is proud of belonging to & nation which he hears described as the finest in the world. This appeal is not first and foremost to his desire for good Government, or even to his sense of justice. It is to his sense of dignity as a human creature. It is to this ideal to which the British Government must approxi- mate in order to achieve a full measure of success in Britain's associations with India. The Allahabad Leader,
A NOTABLE BIRTHDAY.
Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji, who is called India's Grand Old Man and the father of Indian political reform, saw his 90th birthday on September 4th. It is comparatively rare for an Indian public man to attain great age, and since his retirement some years ago his birthday has been regarded as a national anniversary, Some of the leading English papers had interesting references to the event.
THE FIRST INDIAN M. P.
It is certainly interesting to recall that the little white- headed Parsee who was an energetic London member in the last Gladstonian House of Commons, was born so long ago as 1825, more than thirty years before the rule of the East India Company was merged in that of the Crown, and a long time before the gallant Sikhs, now fighting with us in Flanders and the Dardanelles, were incorporated In the British Empire. Mr. Naoroji, who kept up his activi- ties until he was past four score, now lives in retirement near Bombay. The Viceroy always sends him a birthday telegram, and so do many other dignitaries, who bear no malice towards an old opponent, and like to think of the aged agitator as in these days a very fervent supporter of the Imperial cause.-The Pall Mall Gazette.
ADVOCATE OF GREAT REFORMS.
He has lived to see a great part of the programme for which he fought adopted by the Imperial Government and much of his criticism of the economic basis of the Indian revenue system admitted by all impartial enquirers. When Mr. Naorofi began the labours that lasted without Intermission until his final return to India, eight years ago, his countrymen were not admitted to the Indian Civil Service, or even to the Legislative Councils. They sit now in the Viceroy's Cabinet and preside over departments of State, are elected by popular franchise to seats in the Councils, and not seldom dominate the University Senates and the High Court bench. There is still a great deal to be done, as the war has made everybody realize, before the Government is brought into harmony with the reason- able claims of the Indian people. But it is rare indeed for any reformer to enjoy so great a measure of fulfilment as this fine old Indian can reflect upon to-day.-The Man- chester Guardian.
(The University of Bombay conferred the honorary de- gree of LL.D. on Mr. Naoroji the other day.)
CANADA.
INDIA AND IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. Reuter's Agency at Ottawa has been busy of late. On September 23rd the following appeared in the Canadian papers:
A special despatch from Simla announces that India's place in the councils of the Empire was discussed at an important meeting of the Imperial Legislative Council to- day, and that a resolution will be forwarded to London re- questing that measures be taken to have India represented at the next Council of the Empire, as are the various over- seas Dominions and dependencies.
The resolution, which was moved by the Hon. Khan Bahadur Mian Muhamad Shafl, asked that India in future be officially represented at conferences of the British Em. pire, the request to be forwarded to the Secretary of State for India..
VICEROY IN SYMPATHY.
Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy, affirmed that the Government of India gladly accepted this important resolution, which had his warmest sympathy, adding that if Council adopted Et his Government would readily comply with the recom- mendation. The Viceroy proceeded to recapitulate what had occurred at previous conferences.
The ultimate decision at the next meeting of the confer- ence rested with the conference itself. If India were admit- ted, said his Excellency, it would appear reasonable that she should be represented by the Secretary and one or two other officials from India.
Lord Hardinge dwelt upon the difficulties and obstacles In the way of carrying out the request, but laid emphasis upon the fact that the Imperial Government, without com.
October, 1915
CANADA AND INDIA
mitting themselves regarding its principles or details, would give most careful consideration to the Legislative Council's resolution, although the ultimate decision of the Imperial Government must necessarily depend largely upon the attitude of the other members of the conference. He thought this pledge eminently satisfactory, as showing due appreciation of India's claims, to which, he trusted, the Governments of the overseas Dominions would give sym- pathetic consideration.
BRITAIN'S BEST CUSTOMER.
Much had happened since the last Imperial Conference, said the Viceroy, and India's size and population, ber wealth, her military resources, and her patriotism de- manded suitable representation. She could not be disre garded when great. Imperial issues were debated in which she was concerned. To discuss questions of the defence of the Empire without counting upon India, he declared, would be ignoring the value of the Empire's greatest mili- tary asset, outside the United Kingdom itself. To discuss trade questions without India would be disregarding Britain's best customer. To concede India direct repre- sentation in future Imperial Conferences would be no revo- lutionary or far-reaching concession to Indian opinion or to her just claims.
"I feel confident," said Lord Hardinge in conclusion, "that when the question is placed in its true light before the Governments of the Dominions they will regard it from the widest angle of vision, from which we hope other Indian questions may be viewed in the near future, so that the people of India may, in the words of Mr. Asquith, feel that they are conscious members of a living partnership extending all over the world under the same flag."
INDIA'S PLACE IN THE EMPIRE.
It is right to mention here that India in a sort of way has been represented at the meetings of the Imperial Cou ference by the official class, but what the Indian public now want is an Indian representative of the Indian people. This is shown by the unanimous way in which the Indian members of the Council asked for it in the Council chamber.
COMMENTS OF THE CANADIAN PRESS.
The Toronto Star referring to it says:
"The question of the representation of India in the Im- perial Conference is likely to become practical soon. At present the conference is one of self-governing common. wealths only. But it is purely advisory, has no legislative power, and there does not appear to be any insuperable difficulty in the way of allowing representatives of India to take part in a conference.
CONSULT INDIA'S REPRESENTATIVES.
"Why should not the representatives of India go into consultation with those of Canada? The Imperial Legis- lative Council of India wants this, and their request is sup- ported by Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy. Questions relating to Indian migration into the colonies have come before the conference, but no representative of India was present. Now, the way to settle this question of Indian migration is by friendly discussion between the representatives of India and those of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The informal nature of the conference lends itself to frank expressions of opinion and interchange of views.
"The conference meets not so much to vote and to decide as to consult. It has no power except that of expressing and influencing public opinion within the British Empire. It makes no laws, it levies no taxes, it exercises no Gov- ernmental powers. In such a body there ought to be no difficulty in admitting representatives of India. The object being consultation for the general good of the British Empire, we surely ought to admit our Indian friends to our consultations."
FULL DISCUSSION ADVISABLE,
The Toronto World writes:
"With the endorsation of the Viceroy, the Indian Council has forwarded to the Secretary of State for India a request that India be hereafter represented at the Imperial Confer- ence. When acknowledging its receipt, Mr. Chamberlain stated that inasmuch as the composition of the conference is a matter for the conference itself, the overseas Dominions must be consulted before a more definite reply can be given. Few, however, of those conscious of the evolution and de- velopment of the British Empire will refuse sympathetic consideration of the claim made by the Indian Government, or fail to recognize that it can be supported on real and weighty grounds.”
IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE.
The Mail and Empire of Toronto expresses the opinion that "The Imperial Legislative Council will forward to London a resolution in favour of the admission of repre- sentatives of India to the Imperial Conference. The peti- tion is not likely to be denied. Before replying to it the
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British Government will doubtless communicate with the several Dominion Governments, whose concurrence will decide the matter.
The time has come for taking India into the Councils of the whole Empire. After the recent concession to her of a larger voice in her own Government, and after the signal proofs of loyalty to British connection given by her people and her ruling princes in the present war, she ought to be put on a footing to send delegates to what now may be called the Great Council of the Empire.
Once there is an Imperial Council comprehensive enough to in- clude Indian delegates, questions that are now of a knotty nature will become simplified."
WAR ESTABLISHES NEW STATUS.
Whilst the Toronto Globe comments thus: "It will be interesting for British people everywhere to watch the effect of the present war and the coming peace on the minds of the Indian peoples. The cheerful loyalty and self-sacrificing courage of the Hindu soldiers in the war have made it inevitable that some change shall take place in their status as citizens."
CANADA MUST BE COSMOPOLITAN.
An Italian in Welland writes to the Star protesting against a real estate handbill in which a certain locality is described as desirable because foreigners are barred. Our correspondent is quite right in his view that the alliance of which we now form part ought to break down instead of increasing racial prejudice. It need hardly be said that we should be generous to the Hindus, who are members of the British Empire, and whose brethren are fighting for our cause in France and at the Dardanelles. A broad- minded Imperialist must necessarily be a cosmopolitan, absolutely free from racial prejudice.-The Star.
IS IT FAIR ?
When our Aryan forefathers broke up their homes in Southern Asia, some of them went to India. When that Empire was added to Britain, Queen Victoria gave these, our Indian cousins, her pledge (and her son Edward and ber grandson George have since reiterated that pledge), in which she said: "We hold ourselves bound to the natives of our Indian territories by the same obligations of duty which bind us to all our other subjects. May the God of all power grant to us and those in authority under us strength to carry out these."
In 1911, an ex-soldier from India who had settled in Canada went home to bring out his wife and child. On his return they were detained under bond of $1,000, and were admitted after three months' litigation, but only as an act of grace.
About 2,500 of these fellow-citizens from India are in Canada, the great majority of them being Sikhs. Only five of these men's wives have thus far been admitted. Yet they are the husbands of one wife each; they are dis- tinguished loyalists, having saved the Empire at the time of the mutiny. They have fought in Asia and Africa, and are now fighting in Europe for our "free institutions" with a bravery unsurpassed, and are showing a generosity which is the admiration of the Empire.
Is it not time for us to think what our treatment of them on the western coast looks like to them? Is it not time for our Government to "clean house" in this matter? Turkish Mohammedans, who would have several wives if they dared, enjoy all the privileges of other Europeans in this Dominion, and are allowed to bring wives and children here; why should our own fellow-citizens, who are bearing the burdens of the Empire and are superior to the Moham- medan in every way, have their wives and children ex- cluded?-Public Health Journal,
SIKH CITIZENS OF THE EMPIRE.
J. A. M. writes: "Before even the claims of the Japanese, 'an Imperial ally," come the Imperial rights of the Šikh, a British citizen. In his case, more than in that of the Japanese citizen, has been 'seen the conflict of Imperial and domestic considerations.' And whilst in the handling of the case of the allen there was at least a savor of dip- lomacy, in the handling of that of the Bikh there has been Tittle but prevarication.
Would it not be possible at this most interesting time, when Sikh and Canadian blood has flowed freely on the Flanders fields, in a blood brotherhood of opposition to the present-day enemies of humanity and freedom
to speak out once more a word on their behalf?"
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For those interested who want to know more about India, we call attention to the following books, which, as well as copies of Canada and India, can be obtained from McAinsh & Co., Ltd., Publishers, 4 College Street, Toronto: Web of Indian Life," by the Sister Nivedita (Margaret Noble); "Religion of the Sikhs," by Dorothy Field.
"The
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