EASING TENSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 234, 2 October 1937, Page 18

EASING TENSION.

SITUATION IN INDIA. CONGRESS PARTY'S .MODERATION. CALCUTTA. The easing of political tension throughout India continues, the interview between the Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow, and Mr. Gandhi having marked a definite stage. This has since been followed by an interview between tlic Governor of Bihar. Sir James Sifton, and Kajendra Prasad. Pandit Nehru's immediate predecessor as president of Congress, who, though himself not in the Legislature" will largely control the Bihar Cabinet's policy. There is talk of a meeting between Sir Harry Haig, the Governor of tho L'nited Provinces, and Pandit Nehru himself. The thunder of Congress opposition in Bengal has been muted on finding that the Congress Cabinets of Bihar, Madras and Orissa are presided over by the Governors. Also the overwhelming defeat in the Bengal Assembly of the Opposition's adjournment motion of sympathy with hungerstriking prisoners in the Andamans has left it rather stunned. Many members who would certainly have supported the motion in the days of a partly nominated House and irremovable executive in charge of law and order now support the Government rather than risk its defeat. The "Statesman" describes this speedy development of a sense of responsibility as the gratifying first fruits of popular Government. Tho United Provinces arc likely to provide most of the critical periods in tho early stages of the new regime owing to Pandit Nehru's local influence. Another difficult area is the North-west Frontier, but Mr. Gandhi indicated that Con grew might assist in forming a coalition Ministry there.