The Dominion. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1935. THE INDIA DEBATE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 120, 14 February 1935, Page 8

The Dominion. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1935. THE INDIA DEBATE

Opposition to the Government of India Bill has been clamorous enough to justify the anticipation that its effect would be revealed in the voting in the House of Commons at the conclusion of the second reading debate. The figures show that its strength was. by no means proportionate to the noise of the captains and the shouting. The Government has emerged from the debate with an overwhelming majority, and the ultimate passing of the Bjll is now assured. Committee work will extend over a period of a month, but it is extremely unlikely that amendments affecting the structure of the Bill will be made other than to clarify and strengthen its provisions. One noticeable point in the debate—it resolved itself into the main issue, in fact—concerned the omission of the preamble which in the Joint Committee’s report set out the general purport of the Bill. The question was asked: Was it the intention of the Government to grant Dominion status to India immediately, or by instalments r A large section of native opinion in India expected full status to be definitely provided for in the Bill, but it is very doubtful whether any but unpractical idealists in the House would have agreed to such a tremendous advance over untried ground. Mr. Baldwin put the position quite clearly in concluding the debate. “We are offering India,” he said, “an opportunity of making a considerable step forward to the day when she will be a full partner in the Empire.” It will depend upon the people of India whether that day will be hastened or delayed. The Bill provides the machinery for progress toward complete and absolute self-government, and that being the 1 case there is little to be gained by bickerings over what is merely an academic question. Its great merit is that it places in - the hands of native India the power and the means to effect social reforms which from their religious complications have been beyond the power, of British authority to enforce. Whether the heterogeneous mass of humanity which comprises native India, and which is so bafflingly divided by varieties of creeds, and practices, can of its own volition and mutual co-operation and goodwill .succeed in evolving better and happier conditions for its innumerable tribes and sects remains to be seen. The responsibility is to be theirs, and if they fail ’the question may be seriously and fairly asked whether they are equal to the burdens and cares of absolute self-government.