EAST AND WEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 7

EAST AND WEST.

FUSION IN INDIA. Conference Results; Discussed by Lords;. TRIBUTE TO VICEROY. (British Official tireless.) (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, March 18. In the debate on tli.e situation in India in the House of Ij.ords, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Saa'key, reviewed the events leading up to the Round Table Conference, the results of the conference and their eiffect in India. He said that the delegates to the Conference were not plenipotentiaries. It was their responsibility to examine the facts and to make suggestions. The Federal Structure Sub-Com-mittee's report, therefore, was purposely drafted so as to leave 1 many questions open, but in his viev/ there was no problem in India that ivas insoluble. It was perfectly possible tio draft a Federal constitution fair and jeist to everybody, and, with the precedents before them of the combined wisdom of East and the West, could and \would do so.

Lord Peel, a former 1 Viceroy and one of the British delegates to the conference, said lie could not help feeling that during the last few months the Government had been too ready, he would not say to apologise for, but not to take a stand 011 its position in India, which gave Britain rights ajid laid upon her duties and responsibilii ies. Lord Reading, another former Viceroy of India, referring to 1 lie agreement between Lord Irwin and Gandlii, said the conditions in India had. very greatly improved from the momejiit that the agreement, which was brought about by the Bound Table C'onfercmce, was reached. The conference, therefore, had enabled the peace to be declared in India. Lord Beading addeel that the Round Table Conference had (definitely improved the Indian outlook by removing mistrust and suspicions; that had previously given Indian politicians concern. He paid a tribute to Lord Irwin's work and the triumph of 'd is agreement with Gandhi as an earnest of good will. Lord Passiield, Colonial Secretary, in reply, said the Gove? anient was guided entirely by Lord Irwin, in whom the fullest conlidonce reposed.

TRADE ANXIETY. Possibilities of Permission to Picli et. ANTI-BRITI3H ACTION. (Received 8'J.30 p.m.) LOKDON, March 18. A statement isstted to-day by the Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Association and the' Federation of Master Cotton Spinastjrs' Associations expresses disquiet at /Wie provision in the recent agreement between the Viceroy and certain political} leaders by which picketing'is to be regarded as a legal form of propaganda if peacefully cai - lied out for econoncic and not political purposes. Although' nominally directed against all foreign , goods, 1 the boycott has been anti-British rather than antiforeign, and one of' the worst features was the fact that fit was supported by individuals who had extensive interests in the Indian cotton and textile industries and who were i! ndoubtedly profiting by it.

MOSLEMS OFFENDED. Hindu Procession Disturbs Prayer. SERIOUS CLASHES FOLLOW. DELHI, March 18. Now that the date of the next Round Table Conference on India has been fixed for the autumn, the Hindu and Moslem leaders throughout the country are concentrating upon efforts to solve, their communal differences before, going to London. In the meanwhile, however, there is severe tension between the Moslems and the Hindus at Agra, where one person was killed and more than oO were injured in a series of clashes. These followed upon the action of the participants in a Hindu procesf ion in playing music in front of a masque where Moslems were praying.

Several policemen who attempted to stop the ensuing inot 'were severely injured. Clashes occurred throughout the iiight and the police were forced to fire upon the threatening crowds in order to disperse them.. Shops belonging to members of both communities were looted and destroyed. Armed policemen are now patrolling the town. i