DEADLOCK IN INDIA

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 192, 11 May 1937, Page 9

DEADLOCK IN INDIA

Comment by Mr. Gandhi Bombay, May 9. “Although the speech of the Secretary of State for India, the Marquess of Zetland, on May 6 shows an improved tone, compared with his last speech, it does not contribute to removal of the deadlock,” said Mahatma Gandhi. “The Congress Party earnestly desires to make a substantial advance toward complete independence insofar as is constitutionally permissible, but It is impossible if the Governors exercise their powers as is suggested.” Alluding to the suggestion that a conversation between the Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow, and Mr. Gandhi might dispose of the misunderstanding which appeared to have arisen. Lord Zetland said in the House of Lords last week that that hope seemed to rest on the assumption that a short and simple formula could be found as an alternative to Mr. Gandhi’s own to express the manner in which the Governors would exercise their reserved powers, but. if such formula were attainable, it would have been embodied in the Act. The essence of the new Constitution was that the initiative and responsibility for the whole of provincial government in thought and in form, which had rested in the Governor, had passed to the Ministry and it would be the Governor's duty to help his Ministers in every way he could by his political experiences or his administrative knowledge.