INDIA.
SOME PROBLEMS OF GOVERNMENT AND TRADE.
BY LORD INCHCAPE.
11HE task of governing India is one which the wisest, the most talented, the most widely experienced men have approached with trepidation. For it is neces- sary to understand the many native races of which India's population is constituted, and the social traditions, the age-long customs and the varied religious beliefs of which their latter-day psychology is' the "product, in order to recognise the 'latent strength which may be fostered to the people's social and economic better- ment, and to estimate the inherent weaknesses of their character, temperament and outlook which must be eliminated or held in check if development is to proceed. To expect native India in the mass suddenly and from nowhere to possess itself of sane political ideals would be to expect a miracle. But it is impossible that a century of active British administration, British justice and British protection against internecine strife should not have created in the breast of educated Indians the desire, latent in all men of all races, for greater self-expression. That conception was bound to arise, and having fostered it, our trust must be, with sympathy, with understanding, forbearance and a good deal of patient indulgence, to help India towards the fulfilment of her destiny among the peoples of the world. It must be recognized that 99 per cent. of India is mute, while the over-articulate part is not yet wholly wise. That is an inevitable phase; but, it may be hoped, a phase only, and any influence that may help the races of India towards a common ideal of citizen- ship should be, and doubtless will be, fostered by the Government for the advantage of India's posterity. The forces of reform have been set moving and, even if the contrary were wished, nothing can stay them.
But it must be remembered that India, as to the mass of her people, is, politically and socially, practically in swaddling clothes. Her greatest and most stable asset, British Government apart, is perhaps that the outlook of her native princes and rulers on questions of govern- ment has changed from the autocratic conception of former times, and has, partly by contact with Western ideals and institutions, and partly from other causes; been replaced by more liberal and enlightened views, both as to the privileges and the duties of rulers.
There is an important and growing body of com- mercial administrators who believe they can benefit India by developing its manufactures, and excluding those of England by means of heavy import duties. In my opinion this is a fallacy. By all means let India's manufactures develop ; but it would be a disaster if the people, the mass of whom arc agriculturists, were burdened with heavy import duties on clothing and their hundred and one other requirements.
India gives supplies of food and raw material to the rest of the world, and takes in exchange what other countries can produce more cheaply and of better quality than she, herself can ; and it is in the exchange of com- modities that India's prosperity lies. It is futile to imagine that India, can be made a self-contained country and that she can- sell her produce to the world while ticking no goods in exchange. • - Nothing is more likely to- benefit India than the "de- velopment of her' agriCulture by gip engrafting of more efficient methods upon the elaborate system of irrigation set up under the British Raj. • '-J have. on more "than One occasion ventured: to say that I -have no fear in regard to India's commerCiiii anti finitiCial future if common sense in economics is permitted, to prevail. I am confident, too, that with the good, firm and just Government which she has under present condi- tions things will continue to go well with India, although there will always be hotheads endeavouring to stir up strife not only against the British Raj, but amongst the various races in India. India's security from internal warfare and outside aggression, and the welfare of her people, are now and" will for many generations continue to be dependent on the Central Government with at its head the Viceroy, representing the Sovereign of Great Britain. Sensible Indians recognize this, and realize that anything else would spell anarchy, chaos and bloodshed throughout the country.
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