INDIAN PROBLEM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 236, 6 October 1942, Page 3

INDIAN PROBLEM

BISHOP'S OPINION

Plea For Mediation By Envoy Of United States United Press Association— Rcc. 11 a.m. LONDON 7 , Oct. 5. Addressing the Birmingham transport workers, the Bishop of Birmingham, Dr. Barnes, said: "Gandhi desires freedom for India and insists that force must not be used t.o obtain it. Nothing has been able to make him change his policy or deflect from his goal. When you hear suggestions that Gandhi is as untrustworthy as any cheap Asiatic in the slums of Cardiff ignore them. Pacificism to-day is so rare that, a pacifist is bound to be misunderstood.

"There are unfortunate incidents in our history which wr> have forgotten but which have bitter memories for India. British eommer-

cial firms flourish in India and business leaders, too. often show racial arrogance. Some of the evils of the British industrial revolution flourish unchecked because our bureaucratic, administration lacks the initiative or revolutionary fervour which have transformed Russia. There is a wooden complacency instead of farreaching idealism. "Indians say that, they have no chance to create a new order. They have been in bondage for over a century. Could not some representative from President Roosevelt build a bridge to end the deadlock? Negotiations between the leaders of Britain and India might well begin again."

Because of the Government of India's vigorous measures there has been a marked reduction in violent action aimed at the destruction of property, said the Premier of Assam, Sir Muhammed Saadulah. Ho added that 20 persons were killed when troops on eight occasions in the last few weeks were forced to fire in self defence.

Mr. M. S. Anfy. senior Indian member of the Viceroy's Council, said that he and several other Indian members of the council felt disposed to permit consultations with the imprisoned Indian Congress leaders in order to begin looking for a settlement of the present deadlock. Defending Gandhi's integrity, he said that Gandhi would keep his word if he promised not to interfere with India taking a fighting part in the war under an Indian national Government.