Sir K. G. Gupta on Self-Government for India. Speaking, on November 27, at the Bombay Presidency Association, Sir K. G. Gupta, who has just come back to India after a long sojourn in England, observed :—

It was a fortunate thing for India that the British Government should have availed themselves of the Indian army to fight in France and Europe; for, when these men were seen in England, the British people came to realise that there was such a thing as India. The Indian troops were in France, when the situation was very serious and very critical. The troops had also suffered terribly in the winter; but there was one recompense. It was that they had given the British public an idea that there was such a thing as India. That feeling had not altogether died, although the Indian troops were not fighting in Europe now, nor could it be neglected. On the other hand, he was quite aware that India had not received the same amount of attention as it was entitled to, or was being received by the Colonies. A year or more ago, there was a meeting in London when the Prime Minister and Mr. Bonar Law spoke, and the speaker was also present at the meeting, held specially to thank

India and the Self-Governing Colonies. Mr. Bonar Law then spoke very flatteringly about India's part in the War and that India's position will have to be reconsidered when the reconstruction takes place. There was a feeling of disappointment, both in England and India, when the Prime Minister spoke at Ladybank, as he had not a word to say about India. How far the reforms would go, he could not say. They must send their best men with plenty of money at their back, when the War is over, to agitate in England as nothing could be done in England without organised agitation. He instanced the case of Irish Home Rule. In England, they had to work with men and money at their back. The word Home Rule had a bad odour in England, and Self-Government would serve the purpose as well. They were not ready to grant Self-Government as such, but they might give Self-Government on the lines of Colonial SelfGovernment. But they must bear this in mind that they must hold on to the ideal and goal of Self-Government in India. They were always told that they were unfit for Self-Government, but they must be trained to it, and they would never learn to govern themselves unless they were given Self-Government.

tion amongst certain classes of a population dependent on their care and protection. We can well understand that His Majesty's Government, with their heavy pre-occupations during the course of the war, may prefer to postpone the final settlement of the question till after the conclusion of peace. But, in the meantime, to facilitate the preliminary discussions which will have to be undertaken with the colonies interested, we desire to submit the following preliminary suggestions on the general outlines of a scheme which, in our opinion, affords the most hopeful solution of the difficulties which we have pointed out, while causing as little disturbance to colonial interests as is compatible with the maintenance of our obligations to the classes of the Indian population concerned.

"It is quite clear that the mere abolition of indentured emigration, a course which implies the refusal to allow any emigrant to leave the country under a contract, will not be sufficient. The result of this would be that recruiters would

induce coolies to go without any agreement, but by the grant of advances or by fraud, and the coolies on their arrival in the colony would be wholly at the mercy of its laws, and might be compelled to work out the advances which they had received, or were alleged to have received, by local labour laws with which the Government of India would have greatly weakened its power of interference. The mere abolition of indentured emigration, while it would remove what is in India considered a racial stigma, would not do away with the morally undesirable feature of a coolie life in the Colonies, or with the abuses of contract recruiting in India, and yet these are stains from which British administration in India ought to cleanse itself. The introduction of a system or recruitment on sardari kangani lines would, we admit, present difficulties in the case of distant colonies. It would be costly to arrange for the continuous voyage under proper conditions of small parties of coolies, and the system must in any case be freed from the bonds which the receipt of advances and the Ceylon enticement law attach to the kangani system. We think, however, that such difficulties can, and should, be met. One of the best features of the last mentioned system is the possibility which it holds out of improving the present abnormal sex ratio with its attendant evils, the removal of which is, in our opinion, an absolutely essential condition of whatever new system be introduced to take the place of indentured emigration. The system might be financed by the Colonies through a tax on coolie-cultivated estates, or coolie-produced exports. There is no need for the individual planter to pay for the individual coolie, and so be led to consider that he has a right of property in him. The coolie should be at liberty to serve whatever master he chose, while if he desired to return to India, he would be called on to pay some share of the cost of his repatriation, a share which might vary with the nature of the circumstances and with the length of time he had served. The prospects of free emigration are not at present very hopeful, except so far as the Mauritius figures are concerned.

"It would appear, then, on the whole, that an improved kangani system, under which a coolie was not bound by the receipt of advances or by the local law to serve on a particular estate, with a proper sex ratio, and confined to approved colonies, offers the most promising results. The present system of inspection, shipping, and sanitary regulations, would have to be maintained. There is no

doubt that the chance, especially the insistence on a proper sex ratio, would lead, at any rate, at first to a considerable falling off in the number of emigrants. But, after all, it is not the duty of the Government of India to provide coolies for the colonies, but to insist that those who go there shall do so under conditions which are not repellent to educated Indian opinion, and which give the emigrant himself a chance to live a decent life under proper conditions, and to develop into a more desirable class of settler than the man who at present leaves the coolie barracks of a Fiji sugar estate at the expiry of his period of indenture. By a policy on these lines, India will surely offer a more acceptable contribution to the cause of Imperial progress and unity than by a blind compliance with demands for the continuance of an evil system."

Indians and the Empire.

At the entertainment organised by the Workers' Educational Association, at Johannesburg, more than one speaker emphasised the importance of associating Indians in the governance of the Empire. The Rev. S. Featherstone Hawkes said, that the great Indian Empire would never submit to be governed by a joint Commonwealth of people who were English, South African, Australian, and Canadian. He said: "The joint Government of the Commonwealth, supposing that the Indian people were to be included in the Empire, must include a fair proportion of that great Eastern race on the governing body." Dr. Manfred Nathan said, he thought they had come to an era when they might rejoice that class-distinctions belonged to the past, and would be entirely swept away with the conclusion of the war.

Indian Representative in Fiji Council.

The Government of India has made a representation to the Home Government to modify the constitution of the Fiji Legislative Council, and His Majesty's Government has accordingly modified it by admitting one Indian non-official member, provided he is a British subject. The Fiji Legislative Council consists of 10 officials, 6 elected and 2 "native" members "appointed by the Governor." The concession is obvicusly inadequate, but when the natives of the Fiji, who are twice as strong as the Indians in population, have not got the majority, it is inopportune to expect a proper number of Indian representatives on that Council. The concession is an act of justice and, it is gratifying to see that the agitation for admitting an Indian representative in the Fiji Council has borne some fruit at least.

Mr. Polak on South Africa.

Mr. H. S. L. Polak has been the recipient of a most well-merited welcome from all parts of India since his arrival in this country.

At an entertainment in his honour, on the 16th November, given by the members of the Bombay Servants of Indian Society, Mr. Polak stated that in South Africa the European feeling towards Indians generally was now decidedly changed for the better, partly owing to the part played by Indians in the war and partly due to the loyal and voluntary help rendered by Indians in South Africa by forming a Double Company of stretcher-bearers with perfect disregard of pecuniary consideration, in spite of disabilities imposed on them in respect of pay which was actually lower than what was granted to similar Corps of Natives of South Africa.

Indian Labour in Ceylon.

Mr. N. E. Majoribanks, of the Indian Civil Service, and the Hon. Mr. Ahmed Tambi Marakkayar, of the Madras Legislative Council, who have been appointed a Commission to study the conditions of Indian labour in Ceylon, arrived in Colombo on the morning of November 20. Mr. Majoribanks said, in the course of an interview, that their mission was to study the conditions of Indian labour in Ceylon, the object being to see how far the system in Ceylon would help the Madras Government in devising a scheme to replace indentured labour in other Colonies. Mr. Majoribanks explained that Lord Hardinge had abolished indentured labour in Fiji, Trinidad, British Guiana and Jamaica, where the labourers were imported under a five years' contract, and were subjected to certain penal laws. The object of the Government was not to restrict immigration but to devise some scheme under which indentured labour might be replaced in the Colonies named. It was hoped that the conditions prevailing in Ceylon and the Federated Malay States might help in such a scheme. The visit of the Commission had no other object. Nothing political was involved. The Commission came with no pre-conceived notions. Mr. Majoribanks claimed to be ignorant of what the conditions in Ceylon were. He and his colleague will be spending a month in Ceylon. They were to call on the Colonial Secretary to-day, and though their plan of campaign had not yet been mapped out, their intention is to work through the Local Government and the Planters' Association and visit estates and see everything for themselves,

Sir Tagore in America.

Sir Rabindranath Tagore availed himself of an excellent opportunity to meet the insulting attitude which the average Colonial assumes towards the Indian. This great poet and philosopher, who is now delivering lectures in the United States of America, was invited to lecture at Toronto and Montreal, but quite properly declined the invitation because "of the manner in which his in countrymen had been treated Toronto." According to an account in the Toronto Daily State:

"He wishes this to be published and generally known. He said that he was asked to go ashore at Vancouver, but refused. He would never set foot on Canadian or Australian soil while his countrymen were treated as they were, nor did he expect that things would alter until the psychology of Nations was changed."

Sir Tagore's attitude has created a profound gratification in India, as he has truly expressed the universal feeling in this country.

Indian Students in England.

We learn from the fifth annual report of the Distressed Indian Students' Aid Committee in London that, during 1915, forty-nine new cases came before the Committee. To thirty-nine of these, and to four others who had had previous loans, help was given from the general fund, whilst to three applicants loans were made from the Special Relief Fund. The Committee on more than one occasion advanced the money required for the examinations or "Call" fees when it could not arrive in time. A pathetic interest attaches to one such case, where the money was advanced, and the stuuent called to the Bar. He received his remittance from home very soon afterwards and repaid the Committee before starting for home in the ill-fated P. and O. Maloja, on which he met his death. Two instances, in which the Committee was able to render valuable assistance, were those in which a student had temporarily lost his reason, so that he had to be taken to an asylum. By making an advance of a few pounds, pending the arrival of money from the student's relations, it was possible to make better arrangements for him than could otherwise have been done. The advance in each case, we are glad to note, was repaid.

H. E. The Viceroy on Native States.

In the course of a speech, in reply to the toast proposed by H. H. the Maharajah of Udaipur, H. E. the Viceroy referred to his interest in Native States in general in the following terms:

My interest in the Native States in India is naturally intense, and I recognise their enormous value and importance in the scheme of the Empire. Their material value has been abundantly shown in the support which they have given so lavishly to the cause of Great Britain in the present war, and I congratulate His Highness on the princely share that he has taken in the general demonstrations of loyalty and goodwill. I feel that in any similar crisis that may occur, I can always count on the co-operation of the Ruling Princes and Chiefs of India, and the importance of this co-operation it would be difficult to exaggerate. I can assure His Highness that I, on my part, shall always do my best to preserve the dignities and privileges of his princely order and to assist the Indian rulers in the development of their States and in solving the problems of administration with which they may be confronted. I claim only, in return, that my friendly confidence shall be reciprocated, that trust shall be given for trust and that no shadow of doubt or suspicion shall rest between us.

Representative Assembly in Baroda.

The Maharaja Gaekwar has directed that a representative Assembly of the people should be formed to receive suggestions and discuss questions affecting the public welfare. The Dewan will preside, and heads of all Departments will be present to give information and help in the discussions. Each district and divisional local board will send one representative. The first meeting of the Assembly is fixed for January 3, 1917. During each session of the Assembly, the representatives will be treated as State guests.

The Begum of Bhopal.

H. H. the Begum of Bhopal, before leaving Delhi, where she attended the Conference of Indian Ruling Chiefs, opened the Lady Hardinge Purdah Garden. Her Highness said the garden would be of great advantage to the ladies of Delhi since it would offer facilities for that social intercourse which was a recognized need of the times. Her Highness said that the garden was associated with a name that would always be cherished by the women of India with feelings of deep-rooted affection and sincere gratitude,

The Maharajah of Bobbili.

The Maharajah of Bobbili, who is one of the most prominent members of the landed aristocracy in Southern India and one who has for over a quarter of a century led movements relating to the material and moral well-being of the members of his class, has retired from the management of the estate, installing his elder son in his place as Zemindar.

Gwalior Agriculture.

The Maharajah Scindia of Gwalior, whose practical interest in agriculture is well known, has granted concessions to a number of Parsis to induce them to settle on the land. Agriculture is said to have been the ordinary occupation of the Parsis before the superior attractions of commerce lured them to the cities, and it will be particularly interesting to learn whether the new venture proves a success. There is no doubt that they will apply to agriculture the business principles and the enterprise of which it stands so greatly in need, but it is a little doubtful whether they will also develop the habits of patience and endurance which are not greatly in evidence in the markets, but are indispensable to the tiller of the soil.

Maharajah of Patiala's Appeal.

His Highness the Maharajah of Patiala, at a Durbar at Rhabinda, made an inspiring appeal to his subjects to come forward and enlist. His Highness, in the course of his speech, said :

I should here like to remind you that our struggle with the enemies is not confined to one locality but, on the other hand, it extends to countries and islands distributed all over the world. It is, therefore, most important that reinforcements and war materials be supplied to our armies constantly and in time. It is also our duty to see that the gallant warriors, who do not hesitate even to lay their very lives in the service of their King and country, are not put to any hardship. This object can be achieved by adequate transport arrangements. It is not difficult for the British Government, or for the State, to secure the required number of sarvas and drivers; yet, before it be considered necessary to order compulsory service, wish to give you an opportunity to show your zeal and patriotism by serving the Government out of your free will, because it is my firm conviction that service rendered out of a spirit of loyalty and love is fraught with excellent results.

Maharaja of Jaipur's Gift.

Major-General His Highness the Maharaja Sir Sawai Madho Singh Bahadur, G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., Maharaja of Jaipur, has placed the sum of Rs. 50,000 at the disposal of His Excellency the Viceroy for any fund to which in His Excellency's opinion it may be devoted. This generous gift is to commemorate the Viceroy's first visit to His Highness' capital, and has been gratefully accepted by His Excellency.

Manipur State.

The Native State of Manipur in Assam has suffered heavily in the floods. The Chief Secretary to Assam Government referred to it thus at the last meeting of the Assam Legislative Council : to have been The greatest damage of all seems

done in Manipur, and I feel sure that the Council will feel much sympathy with His Highness the Raja in the very heavy loss incurred by his State and in the sufferings of himself, his family and his people. The Pioneer writes:-The greatest damage of all seems to have been done in Manipur, and the Chief Commissioner's expressions of sympathy with His Highness the Raja in the very heavy loss incurred by his State and in the sufferings of himself, his family and his people, will be widely endorsed. The Assam administration has lost almost a lakh of rupees in damage done in Manipur.

A University for Travancore.

The Bombay Chronicle writes thus:-While a definite decision has been taken to start a University for Mysore, a movement seems to be on foot in Travancore, another educationally progressive State, for the establishment of a separate State University. The claim for a University in Travancore seems not a whit less strong than those for the Mysore University. Mysore, when it sought to establish a University in 1914-15, had three Government Colleges with a strength of 700 students, two second grade private Colleges with 101 students, 45 High Schools, out of a total of 292 recognised by the Madras University. Travancore, on the other hand, had during the same year four Government Colleges, including the Training and Law Colleges with a strength of about 657, and two private second-grade Colleges with 334 students. Thus, the total collegiate strength, namely 990, compared favourably with the corresponding strength of 801 in Mysore. The State had 31 High Schools recognised by the Madras University.

The Maharaja of Bikanir.

Nothing the Maharaja of Bikanir does or says is ever commonplace, observes the Statesman, and in unveiling the statue to the late Maharaja at Bikanir a few days ago, he was especially interested. The occasion, of course, lent itself to eloquence. The late Maharaja was a devoted and popular ruler, the memorial which has just been unveiled is a spontaneous tribute from the people of the State, the canopy was designed by the present Maharaja, and last but not least the late Maharaja was the present ruler's brother and adoptive father. The Maharaja, in the course of a long speech, paid a glowing tribute to the public spirit and administrative zeal of his brother, followed by a personal sketch which is specially remarkable for the English feeling which it displays "A dignified and gallant figure, standing well over six feet in height, of splendid physique and handsome features, a fine sportsman, an excellent horseman, and a crack shot; endowed, as every Rajput ought to be, with the traditional Rajput courtesy and chivalry; his late Highness won the hearts of all his people, the best and greatest of all conquests by his gracious demeanour, great liberality, and infinite kindness.

The Kalsia State.

The Hon. Mr. Aitkins, Commissioner and Political Agent, Umbala Division, in presenting the Sanad conferring upon the Chief of Kalsia the title of Raja, on October 9, said :-The Kalsia State has so far contributed over one lakh of rupees towards different funds connected with the war. This is a large sum to pay out of the revenue of so poor a State. The State also offered to purchase new conversion loan shares of the value of Rs. 25,000, but was unable to get shares of more than Rs. 16,000. In addition to the above, the State offered 25 mule drivers, but of these only seven were accepted. The State has also given ten horses for military purposes, and Government orders are awaited with regard to the offer of a house at Jagadhri railway station made by the Durbar to be used as a hospital for the wounded soldiers returning from the war. The President tells me that he is very hopeful of helping substantially in procuring recruits, camel drivers and mule drivers, of which Government at present stands in need. I hope that he will be successful.