THE PROBLEM OF BURMA

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 68, 22 March 1933, Page 7

THE PROBLEM OF BURMA

(British Official Wireless.)

BUGBY, March 20. Questioned in the House of Commons regarding the constitutional problem of Burma, Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary for India, said that if the people of Burma and their represent^ tives in the Legislative Council chose separation from India tho Government would ask Parliament to approve the grant of a constitution on the general Hues indicated at the end of tlie Burma! Bound Tablo Conference, and with which the proposals for a constitution for India contained in last week's White Paper corresponded very closely. If Burma chose to remain a province of India in the Indian Federation, the proposals for the structure of provincial constitutions, for relations between the provinces and the Federal authority, and for the allocation of revenue between provincial and Federal exchequers, would be applicable to her as to all other provinces. Her inclusion would, however, involve some revision of the Federal proposals in respect particularly of the composition of tho Federal Legislature.

If Burma elected for inclusion in the Federation while the present ' Indian proposals were under consideration,, adjustments might be made at the committee stage, but it was evident that tile longer Burma delayed her choice the greater would be the delay to the prospects of her own constitutional development.