INDIAN STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 159, 2 April 1937, Page 11

INDIAN STRIKE

Planned By National Congress Party

NEW CONSTITUTION

Demonstrations Forbidden By Government

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

New Delhi, March 31

Mass demonstrations and a general strike are being organised by the Indian National Congress Party for tomorrow as a protest against the introduction of the new Constitution. The Government has forbidden processions.

The Calcutta Corporation is closing municipal offices and schools as an indication of Its disapproval. A message from Bombay states that Sir Dhnnjishah Cooper has formed a Ministry of four.

MESSAGE FROM KING

Inauguration of Autonomy

in Provinces

“NEW CHAPTER OPENING”

(Received April 1, 5 p.m.)

Rugby, March 31

To-day is the appointed day under the Government of India Act for the inauguration of autonomy in 11 provinces of British India and the separation of Burma from India.

On this occasion the King has addressed messages both to India and to Burma. In them Mis Majesty assures his subjects in those two countries of his interest and good wishes for their continued welfare,

“In India,” he says, “a new chaplet is opening and it is my fervent hope and prayer that the opportunities now available will be used wisely and generously for the lasting benefit of all my Indian people.” The King expresses the hope and belief that Burma will find in her new constitution the road to ever-increas-ing happiness and prosperity. The King has also appointed Governor of Burma, Sir Archibald Cochrane Knight, G.C.M.G. Provincial autonomy henceforth obtains over two-thirds of the total area of India and affects directly a total population of over 290,000.000. It involves the setting up of a Ministry in each of 11 provinces responsible to an elected legislature for a large and clearly defined sphere of government in which the Central Government will have no say. Each provincial Governor must follow the advice of his Ministers, except in a small number of questions and in circumstances specially defined in the Act. , On the inauguration of the new constitution in Burma, the Viceroy of India, Lord Linlithgow, has presented a silver mace to the Senate in Burma as marking itse separation from India and as a token of his confident hope that “in the yehrs to come Burma may have cause for thankfulness that the direction of her public affairs is founded on the Parliamentary system of government.”

Another effect of the constitutional changes in India is the ending, after nearly 100 years, of the connection of Aden with the British Indian administration. Aden now becomes a part of the colonial Empire, but as the King states in his message sent to the Governor and Commander-In-Chief on the inauguration of the colony, “ties of commerce and personal association with India will remain." ~