INDIA FEDERATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 259, 2 November 1931, Page 7

INDIA FEDERATION.

First Concrete Suggestions jrom

Conference.

ELECTION OF LEGISLATURES

LONDON, November 1

The first concrete suggestions from the India Round Table Conference are embodied in the draft report of the Federal Structure Committee, which declares that the solution of India's constitutional future depends on . a federation of the.provinces and States.

The report recommends, the setting up of two. Chambers, with 200 and 300 members respectively, as representative of the British and Indian Provinces.

The Upper House should be elected by the Provincial Legislatures, and the Lower House elected directly from the constituencies, which would embrace 1,250,000 people.

The landlords and the interests of commerce and labour should be specially represented;

The committee does not consider that' the Governor-General should be empowered to nominate representatives of the Crown in both Chambers, but as the exclusion of elder statesmen, who would be,disinclined to run for election , , is undesirable, a small proportion oj: seats in the Upper House should be reserved for appointment by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of his Ministers. '

If the Houses disagree, the GovernorGeneral ought to be empowered, tp call a joint session.

The committee recommends that members sliall.take the oath of allegiance, but does- not suggest any formulas.