Asiatic Quarterly Review (Full Title: The Imperial and Asiatic Quarterly Review, and Oriental and Colonial Record): Volume XIII, No. 26 [‎522v] (169/238)

382 Proceedings of the East India Association.
this Association. There were two sides to the question, but with reference
to the subject alluded to—the training, namely, of those who aspired to
enter the Indian Civil Service—there was little doubt that the coming of
natives to England, thus familiarizing themselves with the institutions of
England, was most desirable for those who were to return to India and to
take part in its government. Undoubtedly young Indians coming to this
country were exposed to many temptations—that was almost inevitable;
but if they made the best use of their opportunities, no doubt residence in
this country was a factor eminently qualifying them for their share in the
future government of India.
The Chairman observed that in the instructive discussion which had
taken place on Mr. Pennington’s very interesting paper the speakers had
very much avoided dealing in detail with Mr. Pennington’s observations,
which led him to the conclusion that there were considerable difficulties in
the way of saying how the employment of natives could be made more
easy consistently with safety. In dealing with the Proclamations made
thirty-three years ago, they must always remember what was probably at
the time in the minds of the people who made them. Great advance had
been made in the direction of wishing to increase the number of natives in
the Service, but he expected that if those who were responsible for the
Proclamations had been aware that their words could be construed into a
desire that the higher posts should be filled by natives, they would not
have used the words they did. As to the payment of the passages of
natives to this country in order that they should attend one of the
Universities, he believed the safest way would be to select natives of
proved ability in India irrespective of any examination. He was glad the
discussion had kept all along on the main line of the expediency of
opening the Service to natives consistently with the maintenance of our
rule in India. It would be hypocritical to deny that we were there for our
own interests, though that was consistent with every feeling of considera
tion for the natives. Mr. Rees had talked of lower salaries for Indians,
but if Europeans were paid more than natives the inequality would be sure
to be pointed out. If all the salaries were reduced, Europeans would
automatically be excluded from India, and that he did not think fair. It
had been said that to a European a career in India was not so disagreeable
as it was many years ago. That was true, but, on the other hand, the cost
of living had greatly increased, and the rupee had fallen 30 per cent.
Mr. Pennington said he had very few observations to make in reply.
Mr. Martin Wood had said that “as far as may be” meant that you were
to do it as far as possible, but he thought they must accept the interpreta
tion that it was to be so far as consistent with the safety and security of our
administration. As to competition, the only fair thing would be to have it
in England.
Sir Lepel Griffin proposed and Mr. J. D. Rees seconded a vote of
thanks to the Chairman, which was carried, and the proceedings then
terminated.