NO MESSAGE OF CHEER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 55, 14 December 1946, Page 5

NO MESSAGE OF CHEER

NEHRU ADDRESSES ASSEMBLY ( BRITISH STATEMENT A BLOW (Rec. 10 a.m.) NEW DELHI, Dec. 13. Moving the Indian Republic resolution in the Constituent Assembly, Pandit Nehru said he had returned from London without any , message of cheer and with a large measure of disappointment. Difficulties had arisen mainly because of the British Government’s statement issued after the London talks, said Mr Nehru. It was a blow that, just when they were beginning to forge ahead, obstructions had been placed in their way. The main difficulty was that there was no imaginative understanding in Britain 'of the Indian people. It was not realised in Britain that the only way to convince India was with friendship, co-operation and good will. Any element of imposition would be resented and opposed. They had been trying to create an atmosphere of co-operation among their own countrymen and, with Britain, they would continue their efforts, but they could not succeed unless there was response and co-operation. Mr Nehru said that India sought Britain’s co-operation, the lack of which would injure both, perhaps Britain more, and would also injure the > world. He regretted the absence of the Moslem members, because the task was a tremendous one requii’ing the ico-operation of all. His resolution was a declaration of firm resolve, a, pledge, an undertaking and a dedication that members were determined that the States: should share the country’s freedom. Gandhi was the nation’s father, and the architect of all that had been achieved. Mr Nehru made it clear that the resolution was not part of the, constitution for the future government of India which the. Assembly would draw up. CIVIL WAR A POSSIBILITY

POSITION OF MOSLEMS AND HINDUS (Rec. 11.5 5a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13. A disastrous civil war faced India if England 'did not recognise the Moslem ideal of Pakistan, said Mr Jinnali (president of the Moslem League), broadcasting to America. He added that Hindus and Moslems were two nations'. different from each other in everything that mattered. If the tragedy that had been seen in India recently was not immediately arrested, and if the British Government followed a policy of drift, India would be forced into civil war which would he felt all over the world.