HOPEFUL SIGNS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 171, 22 July 1930, Page 7

HOPEFUL SIGNS.

SITUATION IN INDIA.

Decline of Disobedience Move

Sensed.

MODERATE OPINION GROWS.

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, July 21. The Government of India's weekly appreciation of the situation which deals in detail with events during the week ending July 19, was circulated to members of Parliament to-day. It shows that during the period, despite inevitable fluctuations, there was no serious retrograde movement, and that on the whole the atmosphere had improved. In several areas, where tension existed, the situation had become easier. More evidence had been received of the effect of the civil disobedience movement in encouraging lawlessness in a direction not connected with the movement. In Bengal, for instance, disturbances involving many villages were caused by attacks upon moneylenders _ by their debtors, as a result of which a dozen people were murdered and much looting occurred before order was restored. Students have been active in various towns, and much interference with the work of educational institutions has occurred.

All districts of Gujerat report improvement, and some local officers consider tho civil disobedience movement

, > be definitely on the decline. District reports from the Punjab are almost unanimous that the situation is definitely more encouraging than at any time since the civil disobedience campaign developed, and they indicate a strong reaction against Congress activities. On the other hand, there have been signs during the last few days that extremist Akalis may give a certain amount of trouble.

Tho Central Legislature completed its session during the week. While there was the inevitable criticism of the measures that the Government has been compelled to take, there was a general recognition of the harm that the civil disobedience movement is doing to India in all directions, and the desire was freely expressed that the movement should be ended.

A belief is steadily gaining ground that the solution of India's difficulties is to be sought along the lines indicated in tho Viceroy's recent speech of attempting to reach the agreed conclusions at the round table conference, the principle of which was supported by the Legislative Assembly after a full debate without division.

Tho Viceroy's speech created a marked effect, and moderate opinion is expressing itself more strongly in favour of the abandonment of unconstitutional methods.

POLICE OPEN ''FIRE. Indians Picket Country Liquor Shops. MAN AND BOY KILLED. DELHI, July 21. The police at Madura, near Madras, were compelled to fire three times to disperse crowds of Congress demonstrators who picketed country liquor shops. Eight were injured, of whom a man and boy have since died.