BRITAIN'S TASK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 256, 29 October 1934, Page 7

BRITAIN'S TASK.

COMPLEX PROBLEM. Indian 'Reform Greatest of All Time. PLEA FOR PATIENCE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 28. Many days of the new Parliamentary session will be occupied in the House of Commons by a discussion of tho Government proposals for Indian constitutional reform, which was declared on Friday night by Mr. Neville Chamberlain in a speech at York as constituting one of the most difficult and most complex problems ever set to any nation in the whole history of the world. Mr. Chamberlain said that these proposals would he comprised in a vast bill containing perhaps between 350 and 400 clauses. The question had been the subject of most exhaustive talks and examination, and lie deeply regretted that the subject had been the occasion of .serious differences of opinion in the Conservative party. Without danger of aggravating euch differences, lie could say that affairs in India could not be left as they were. There was no dispute about that. The only question to decide was how fast and how far they were prepared to go in the direction of helping Indians towards self-government.

In the circumstances they were perhaps very fortunate, as they were going to have a report on the whole question from the joint select committee, which included members of experience and well-balanced judgment. Those outside could not claim to be specialists on Indian affairs, and would desire to be guided by the recommendations of the joint select committee.

They would be reporting in a few weeks, and he urged that people should not make up their minds before hearing what they had to say on the subject.

In a speech at Portsmouth, Sir Thomas Inskip, Attorney-General, said that if they were going to have Federal government in India, they could not possibly divert from responsibility at the centre. It was impossible to have Federal government and no power and no responsibilty. He did not claim that the Government proposals were infallible, but as to their general nature as a ground upon winch to work lie believed them to he the best that had been devised. PLENTY OF WORK. Busy Session Ahead of British Parliament. MANY BILLS BEFORE HOUSE. RUGBY, October 28. A heavy programme of work lies before the Government when the House of Commons reassembles on Tuesday. Several important domestic measures are down for consideration during the closing weeks of the present session, which, it is hoped, will end in time for the new session to be opened by i the King on November 22. Important debates on India and certain international matters are expected, while an exceptionally large number of questions to Ministers, including Go which were handed in before the summer recess, await answers. In regard to legislative measures, the Betting Bill, which has encountered considerable opposition, owing to the restrictions it imposes in regard to betting on dog racing and the strengthening of the law against lotteries, will take a prominent place. This bill at present is before the Standing Committee and, if its consideration is not completed, the bill will die with the end of the session. In order to ensure its passage, the House of Commons will be asked to remove it to the Committee of the whole House. The Electricity Supply Bill, to enable the Central Electricity Board to supply current direct to the railways, has passed tho House of Lords, but its remaining stages in tho House of Commons have to be completed.