THREE MITERS HEED TO BE CLARIFIED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 247, 19 October 1939, Page 8

THREE MITERS HEED TO BE CLARIFIED.

PROBLEM OF IMIA.

Hopes And Intentions As

To Future Status.

OBJECTIVES Or WAR.

British Official Wireless. (■Received 2 p.m.) RUGBY, October IT. A statement by the GovernorGeneral an£ Viceroy of India, the Marquess of Linlithgow, issued today, says that, following discussions with 52 leaders of Indian political life, representing all parties and opinions, matters have reached a point Vhen a statement should be made. Clarification it desired on three essential matters.

First, us to objectives and hope 9 in the present war, and to what extent they are such that India can associate herself; second, what are the hopes and intentions as to her future, con ternplated in the constitutional sphere, for the Indian continent; and, third, what way can best satisfy the Indian people's desire for closer and effective association in the prosecution of the war. These questions are dealt with in order. Resistance of Aggression. As to the first one, the Viceroy points out the impossibility of detailed definition, except, that "wo are fighting to resist aggression, whether directed against owrselvcs or others." Dealing with the second, he reviews the operations of the Government of India' Act, 1035, as so fat applied. The 1935 Act, he states, was based on the. greatest measure of common agreement obtainable at that existing time. When, at the end of the present war, consideration of a plan for the futuro Government of India was resumed, "the British Government would bo very willing to enter into consultation with representatives of several communities and parties with interests in India, and with the Indian princes with a view to securing their aid and cooperation in framing such modifications as seem desirable." Dealing with tho third point, lie says India's contribution has impressed the world's imagination. "At the head of t,he_ list I would put the contribution which India made in spiritual and not in material terms—the support of her peoples for a cause which they can regard as a good and righteous cause."

As result of conversations with the leaders, he readied the conclusion that the future course of Indiu'g association with tho war can best be secured by the establishment of a consultative group drawn by tho Governor-General from panels prepared' by the Tiiajor political parties and representatives of the Princes, and presided over by the Governor-General.

In conclusion, he stressed the value of Indian unity in face of the real and imminent danger to civilisation and ideals, «« precious to India as to any country in the world. "It is niv hope," ho states, "that in the grave juncture we face, India will go forward as a united country in support of a common cau»e."

LONG SENTENCES.

I.R.A. TERRORISTS IN BRITAIN.

LONDON, October IS. John Evans, John Gibson, Daniel Jordan and James O'Rejian were each sentenced to 20 years' penal servitude for conspiring to cause explosions and for possessing explosives.

All four refused to plead. They had previously described themselves as soldiers of the Irish Republican Army.