INDIAN PROBLEMS DISCUSSED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 159, 18 April 1947, Page 3

INDIAN PROBLEMS DISCUSSED

CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON. April 17. A two-day conference of Provincial Governors convened by the Viceroy (Lord Mountbatten) ended yesterday, says the Delhi correspondent of “The Times.” No official account of what transpired is available, but it is learned that Lord Mountbatten gave the Governors a detailed account of the British Government’s policy toward India to-day, and explained how the Government’s intentions will be fulfilled during the coming months. He received from them a full picture of conditions prevailing in their provinces and the difficulties they must face in applying the present policy. There was a frank discussion on the problems involved in the imminent transfer of power from British authority to Native Ministries, and it is certain that both the Viceroy and the Governors profited from the free exchange of facts and ideas. Naturally, the prevalence of communal strife throughout Northern India was the predominant topic, and how to maintain law and order and the morale and efficiency'of the public services were the most acute questions that arose in that connection. All the Governors are faced with these questions, and it is likely that they sought enlightenment and aid in their onerous tasks. Other matters urgently calling for attention are the widespread industrial strife and the Communist agitation for a social and political upheaval, both of which threaten to paralyse the country’s production and communications unless the Provincial Governments deal firmly with them.