INDIAN UNION PLAN

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24868, 7 May 1946, Page 5

INDIAN UNION PLAN

BRITISH MISSION’S PROPOSAL DISCUSSION AT SIMLA CONFERENCE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SIMLA, May 5. It is officially announced that the conference of the British Cabinet mission, and the Indian Congress and Moslem leaders to-day discussed the question of a union centre for all India. The Congress Party leader (Dr. Azad), after the morning session, said the conference was proceeding in a satisfactorily businesslike manner. The discussions were conducted in a vyy cordial and frank way. It is understood that Dr. Azad this morning reiterated the Congress refusal tq accept the new proposal for a new constitution, which envisaged the division of India. < He added that Congress had reached the limit of its concessions to meet the grievances of minorities such as the Moslems.

An Indian Union controlling foreign affairs, defence, and communications was among the proposals of the British mission made to both the Congress Party and the Moslems as the basis for discussion.

The leader of the British mission (Lord Pethick-Lawrence) opened the conference with a restatement of the British suggestion for a compromise under which there would bo two separate regions, one consisting of provinces predominantly Hindu and the other of provinces predominantly Moslem. These two suggested regions would co-operate in a union of all India in such matters as foreign affairs, defence, and communications, but would have complete independence in all other matters. The British mission and the Indian leaders met for two hours in the first session of the conference. A large crowd waiting outside the Vice-Regal lodge greeted the delegates with cries of “Jai Hind!” and “Pakistan!” Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps and Mr A. V. Alexander greeted the Indian leaders on the porch. Dr. Azad and Mr Jinnah were markedly cheerful. Lord PethickLawrence and Mr Jinnah strolled into the conference room arm in arm.