64 REFORMED COUNCIL SESSION, 1910 



prefer reasonably good government administered 

 by one's own race rather than extreme efficiency 

 at the hands of an alien race. 



At the risk of seeming presumptuous, I add that, 

 whilst the English race is absolutely the first in the 

 creation of a Colony, it inclines to ignore that the 

 child has grown up. It insists on imposing its own 

 constitution, its own political methods, and its own 

 none too perfect administration on communities, 

 races, and creeds however unsuitable they may be. 



It might become a question whether Native 

 State Government may not prove more suitable 

 than any other. Certainly the condition of 

 Mysore, Travancore, and Hyderabad, for instance, 

 seems to indicate that prosperity and contentment 

 are quite compatible with the rule of Indian 

 Princes. 



Undoubtedly British India is not yet ripe for 

 self-government, but if all goes well it very soon 

 will be, and if British India is to continue, prudent 

 statesmanship will plough the self-government 

 furrow and put the seed into it. 



The one thing to be avoided is the imposition on 

 India of a purely Western organisation unsuited to 

 Eastern habits, instincts, and prejudices. 



