INDIA’S FUTURE

Evening Star, Issue 20322, 2 November 1929, Page 14

INDIA’S FUTURE

THE VICEROY’S STATEMENT GONGERM IN THE COMMONS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, October 31. Members of the House of Commons are excitedly discussing in the lobbies the position of the Simon Commission in view of Lord Irwin’s statement. It is generally believed that Sir John Simon disapproves of the declaration preceding the commission’s report, and the Conservative and Liberal leaders similarly disapprove. of the Government’s action.

Mr Lloyd George has given notice of an urgent question, and will ask tomorrow whether the commission had been consulted regarding India’s status, whether the commission concurred, and whether any passage in the statement indicates the policy of previous Governments, either in substance or in point of time. Mr G. Lansbury (First Commissioner of Works) as chairman of the British Committee of Indian Affairs, forwarded a message to the people of India, in which he sent love and congratulations. “ This is a great day in Indian history, and I especially rejoice with Sir Gandhi and Mrs Annie Besant regarding the Government’s decision for a round-table conference, coupled with the unequivocal declaration that the British policy remains the same—namely, ultimately establishing India as an equal partner in the British Commonwealth of Nations, with full dominion status, for which the committee had fought for fourteen years.” He appeals to Indian comrades and friends to take the declaration at its face value, adding that there was no shadow of disagreement among the highest authorities, either in Britain or in India, regarding India’s right to self-government. QUESTIONS IN COMMONS SECRETARY FOR INDIA REPLIES. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 1. (Received November 2 at 11.30 a.m.) In the House of Commons to-day Mr Lloyd George, the Liberal leader asked tTio Secretary foi India whether the statutory Commission on Indian Government was consulted with reference to the passage in the important statement made by the Viceroy of India yesterday, wnich related to the constitutional status foi India in the Empire, whether the commission concurred, and whether that passage was intended to indicate any change, either in substance or in point of time, in the policy announced by previous Governments. ' . Captain Wedgwood Benu replied that the answer to the first part of the question was in the negative, it was duo to the statutory commission that he should make it perfectly clear that it w r as not consulted. * The second part of the question therefore did not arise. As to the third part the passage referred to was intended to set out the goal of the British policy as stated in the declaration of August, 1917. In view of doubts which had been expressed both in Great Britain and in India regarding the interpretation placed on the intentions of the British Government in enacting the statute of 1919, the Viceroy had been authorised on behalf of His Majesty’s Government to state clearly that in its judgment it was implicit in tho_ declaration of 1917 that the natural issue of India’s constitutional progress, as there contemplated, was the attainment of dominion status. Questions of jioiicy involving changes, either in substance or in time, could not be considered till the commission and tbe Indian cen-

tral committee had submitted their reports, and His_ Majesty’s Government had been able, in consultation with the Government of India,, to consider these matters in the light of all the material then available, and after the meeting of the conference which, it was proposed to summon. BRITISH PRESS COMMENTS. . (British Official Wirelesfi.) RUGBY. November 1. (Received November 2, at 11.30 a.m.)' The pronouncement of Lord Irwin (Viceroy of India), in which he summarised the important modification now-proposed in the procedure subsequent to the report of the Statutory Commission, and in which he reaffirmed the determination of Britain's pledges shall be redeemed to the full, is the subject of comment in most of tho newspapers. Attention is particularly directed to the following, sentence in Lord Irwin’s statement — —“ 1 am authorised on behalf of His Majesty’s Government to stale clearly that in its judgment it is implicit in the declaration of 1917 that the natural issue of India’s constitutional progress as there contemplated is the attainment of dominion status.” ‘The Times ’ says. “ Lord Irwin has no more; than repeated various but essentially consistent definitions of the ultimata goal of India’s constitutional progress.” . ; ' , Tho _ ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ praises the invitation 1 to a conference and says that on the face of it no fault can be found with Lord Irwin’s statement, but it expresses fear that reference at this time to British policy may serve as an irritant to a largo if misguided body of Indian opinion, which clamours for the immediate concession of dominion status. The ‘Manchester Guardian’ says:—. “ The good effect of the Prime Minister’s letter will bo greatly enhanced by the emphatic reiteration in the viceroy’s statement of the goal of British policy for India. The effect has been electrical, and lias gone far to unite all political parties in India.” The ‘ Daily Herald ’ says:—“ Lord Irwin’s declaration is identical with, those repeatedly affirmed by’ India’s own political lenders. It is a declaration of the first importance, but it ijt not an announcement of a new policy. It is a reaffirmation and clearer interpretation of the policy laid down twelve years ago, hut in the years that have followed there has been _ a, tendency in some quarters to restrict) the declaration. Those suspicious of today’s declaration should sweep them away once and for all. Definitely and explicitly dominion status is declared to be_ the of British policy as of Indian aspiration. There is complete unity of purpose. Can there now b® co-operation in achievement.” THE 1917 DECLARATION. Tho declaration of the British Got* eminent in August, 1917. was as follows:—“The policy of His Majesty’® Government, with which the Government of India are in complete accord*is that of the increasing association of Indians in every branch of the administration, and the gradual development of self-governing institutions, with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible government in India as au integral part of the British Empire; They have decided that substantial steps in this direction should be taken as soon as possible, and that it is of the highest importance as a preliminary to considering what these steps should he that there should be a free and in* formal exchange of opinion between those in authority at Home and in India. . . . Progress in this policy can only be achieved by successive stages. The British Government and the Government of India, on whom the responsibility lies for the welfare and advancement of the Indian peoples, must he the judges of the time and measure of each advance, and they must be guided by the co-operation received from those upon whom new opportunities of service will thus he conferred, and by the extent to which it is found that confidence can be reposed in. they; sense ,®f *