INDIA'S PART.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 81, 5 April 1940, Page 7

INDIA'S PART.

EMPIRE WAR EFFORT. "United In Hatred Of Nazi Regime." REVIEW BY MINISTER. British Official Wireless. (ReceiTcd ljao p.m.) RUGBY, April 4. The part India is playing- in the Empire war effort was outlined in a broadcast speech by the Secretary of State for India, the Marquees of Zetland. Remarking that Indian forces had been sent to Malaya and Egypt, as well as providing- troops for Aden, the Marquess said it had been impossible so far to satisfy the aspiration of a great number of those wishing- to put their j>ersonal services at the King-Emperor':- disposal. Lord Zetland referred to the generosity of the Indian princes, such as the Xieani of Hyderabad's gift of £100,000 for a bomber t-qii.idron. and ho spoke of the Indian Navy, which he felt sure would enhance its present high prestige, anil of the high standard of the Indian Air Force. Then he turned to the economic fide. He said new industries were being started, and the utmost use would be made of such substances ae asbestos, bauxite and cbromite. Devoting the remainder of his speech to the political relation betwen Britain and India, Lord Zetland said: "The goal wo set before ourselves is to aid the people of India to acquire a measure of jKtlitk-al unity which will enable the country to take its place ae a great self-governing- dominion in the British Commonwealth of Nations." He reviewed the objects of the Government of India Act of 193!). providing for a great Indian federation. Difficulties had arisen, and lie explained that co-operation between the three main political forces—the Indian National Congress, the Prince*; and the All-India Moslem League—wae essential to the establishment of a federation. "I am convinced," he said, "that no lasting settlement of India will prove possible without real conciliation between the Moslems and the Hindus. Let me add that, whatever difficulties are standing in the way. we shall continue to labour wholeheartedly to the beat of our ability for such reconciliation. ,. These political differences were naturally seized on by German propagandists, but he felt it showed a complete lack of all sense of humour for the Nazie to pose before the world as champions of freedom where India me concerned. '"The truth is that India stands united in her hatred of the Kari regime, and is contributing magnificently towards an Allied victory. ,.