COMMONS DEBATE ON INDIA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23742, 14 September 1942, Page 5

COMMONS DEBATE ON INDIA

CHURCHILL’S SPEECH CRITICISED REPLY BY MINISTER i (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright.) LONDON, Sept. 11. "Mr Churchill’s statement on India Was couched in language not calculated to improve British and Indian relations,” paid the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr Arthur Greenwood), m opening the debate on the statement in the House of Commons. “The Government cannot weaken in its determination to prevent the spread ot the civil disobedience movement, but while there is a chink of light it is a very heavy responsibility for any man to slam the door. It did not need Mr Churchill’s kindergarten lesson to explain the extent of the complication of the Indian situation.” Mr Wilfrid Roberts (Liberal) said that it would take a lot to convince him that Mr Gandhi was pro-Japanese.

Pandit Nehru had taken a promment part in the leadership of the Indians against earlier Japanese and German acts of aggression. It was deplorable that it should have become necessary to imprison these people. Mr James Maxton (Independent Labour) said that neither Mr Churchill nor the Secretary of State for India (Mr Amery) had the faintest desire to give India self-government. It was part of their political philosophy. Mr C. G. Ammon (Labour) described Mr Churchill’s speech as "truculent swashbuckling, and ‘damn your eyes’ in tone.” The Secretary of State for India (Mr L. S. Amery), replying to the debate, ' said that the acts of the Congress Party could not be tolerated by the Government of India, as such acts were not only a danger to the country itself, but a danger to the whole cause of human freedom. He said that it soon became clear . after Sir Stafford Cripps left India that the Congress Party, under the leadership of Mr Gandhi, was swinging towards a policy of direct revolt. In spite of this provocation, the Govern- . ment of India at that time decided to take no action, but when the Working Committee’s resolution was endorsed by an overwhelming majority of the Congress Party, the Government took the only course it , could take to save India from disaster. The Congress Party’s resolution, said . Mr Amery, would have sabotaged India’s war effort, would have made the saving of India impossible, and would have prevented aid to • Chin? and a British invasion of Burma. Before negotiations could be re- ' sumed, they would have to Wait, for a change of heart in the Congress .Party, added Mr Amery, but in the meantime -the Government would welcome any •' •' Gandhi’s Intentions During Mr Amery’s speech, Sir Stafford Cripps rose to answer a question as to* why the negotiations broke down. He said that the negotiations broke down when Mr Gandhi Intervened and caused the Congress Party, which had accepted the British offer, to reverse its decision, Mr Amery concluded by saying that no Government could allow its subjects to start activities which _ would . leave the door open to a .foreign invader. ... Mr Churchill’s statement on India in the House of Commons crossed an appeal to him signed by the political leaders participating in talks which are now going on in New Delhi asking for a declaration of the immediate transfer of real power to Indian hands and the postponement of all controversial issues. . . , j. A meeting of New Delhi’s leading businessmen passed a resolution that - t . the British Government should forthwith transfer full power to the National Government of India and provide immediate facilities for the formation of such a government. On the contrary, the Bengal Chamber of Commerce issudd a statement supporting the Viceroy and aligning 1 itself with Mr Churchill’s stated policy. The United States State Department at Washington has announced the recruiting of American production engineers and technicians for special ser. vice in India. Some will be departing soon. American specialists will advise and assist the Indian Government in the erection of new plants and the installation of additional machinery in existing plants With a view to stepping up production, expediting loading and un? loading, and the repairing of ships.

AWARD OF Y.C.

DEATH OF ANTI TANK GUNNER LONDON. Sept. 11. The posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Private A. H. Wakenshaw, 6f the Durham Light Infantry, is announced. On June 27 this year Private Wakenshaw was a member of the crew of a two-pounder anti-tank gun 'on the forward slopes at Mersa Matruh. The enemy attacked, but Private Wakenshaw’s gun stopped one enemy vehicle towing a mobile gun. The crew, including -Private Wakenshaw, were all severely wounded. Private Wakenshaw, whose left arm was blown off above the elbow, succeeded in getting his gun into action again and he fired five more rounds. Then his gun-aimer was killed, and Private Wakenshaw was blown away from the gun, sustaining further severe wounds; but he again dragged himself back to . the gun and was preparing to fire when a direct hit on the ammunition killed him. This act of conspicuous gallantry prevented the enemy using their light gun on infantry which were able to withdraw in safety. Merchant Navies Honoured.—.The Kings of Norway, Greece, and Jugoslavia and also Prince Bernhardt, representing Queen Wilhelmina, attended a Royal Albert Hall concert held under the patronage of the King and Queen in honour of the British and Allied Merchant Navies. Other visitors included the President of Czechoslovakia, and all five high commissioners, and a number of ambassadors.—London, September 12. Test Flight Crash.—A message from Buffalo says that six workmen were killed and 60 injured when a blazing aeroplane struck the roof of the Curtis . Wright aeroplane plant. The aeroplane | caught fire at a high altitude. The lest 1 pilot was slightly burnt but he baled ' out and parachuted safely to the ground.—New York, September 12. Sports Travel in U.S.—The Office o t Defence Transportation has ordered n sharp curtailment of travel to football games and other sports events to conserve transportation facilities, for war 'purposes.—New York, September 12,