INDIAN FEDERATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 28, 3 February 1939, Page 6

INDIAN FEDERATION.

The vital importance of the issue ot federation at the present stage was stressed by Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India, in a speech at the opening of the annual meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India in Calcutta. The Viceroy claimed that the scheme set forth in the Act of .1 !)3n was "the best practicable solution to the great constitutional problem of Imlia." The dominant consideration held in view while framing the scheme was, he said, the unity of India. The achievement of that unity he regarded as much more important to-day than it was three years ago. This was partly due to the change in the European background, and in the relations of the new ideologies to the ideals which remained the basis of British policy in India. But it >vas more important because provincial autonomy Mind worked so well. The Viceroy declared that, "upon the essential merits of federation there is wide and in some highly important regards unanimous agreement," He added that in the past India had' suffered much and lost many things "as the direct ami uneseapable penalty of internal schism and division." Views of Commercial Interests. The commercial and financial interests throughout India were,' he said, fully alive to the importance of federation. He expressed the hope that those interests, whether Indian or European, would make , a direct contribution towards the education of public opinion, 011 the economic aspect of federation. "I have 110 fear," he added, "that, given • the same goodwill and the same co-operation, the Federal scheme, manned by the joint talent and experience of British India and the Indian States, will not be as great and significant a success as provincial autonomy has been."

The special responsibilities placed by tlie 1035 Act on the Governors had not, in the Viceroy's opinion, interfered with the orderly development of the provincial scheme. The frequent clashes between Ministers and Governors which in so many quarters had been apprehended had not occurred. Lord Linlithgow paid a tribute to the leaders of the States, with whom he said the federal idea in its present form had orginated and who had materially contributed towards its elaboration. "The decision as to their further contribution must bo for them, and for.. them alone, to ninko," ho added.- Xo pressure to take ft decision in a particular sense would, he declared, bo brought upon the rulers of the Indian States by the British Government or by himself.