FUTURE OF INDIA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 171, 3 May 1930, Page 5

FUTURE OF INDIA

WORK OF COMMISSION.

COMPLETING ITS REPORT.

MANY IMPORTANT PROBLEMS

(United Press Association—Copyright.)

(Received This Day. 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 2

Sir John .Simon (chairman of the Indian Statutory Commission,) to-day denied that- there had boon any undue delay in tbe issue of the report by the Commission. He said: “Tbe larger part of the report is not only in the printer’s hands, but is in the final form for production, and what remains is in an advanced state. It ought to be remembered that the Commission could not enter upon the preparation of the report, which necessarily has to cover a vast range of questions, including many which are quite as important, as those prominent in the public notice, until last September, after the joint sittings with the Indian Central Committee in London concluded. If it succeeds in completing its report in a few weeks, the time taken will not be more than was necessary for full consideration of the numerous complex questions involved in an inquiry of the highest constitutional importance, not merely for flic moment, hut for the future. It is understood that the work will he completed in about three weeks. The Commission, of seven members, was appointed in November, 1927. Tts main terms of reference were: To examine the existing system of Indian government, advise on the necessary changes, and state how far responsible government might he conceded. The Commission twice visited India where it made personal investigations on the spot. Witnesses and experts have been examined in London, and. in some of the leading Indian centres, such as Calcutta, Bombay. and Madras. British Official Wireless.