INDIA’S CONSTITUTION.

Evening Star, Issue 22682, 23 June 1937, Page 8

INDIA’S CONSTITUTION.

fp doubts arc sometimes thrown by critics on Britain’s sincerity on tho question of India’s constitutional and political development they can easily be set at rest. Since 1917, at any rate, British Governments have successively endeavoured to put in force methods which would lead the way to complete self-government for India. The new Constitution is an important step in that direction. Indian extremists alone bar the way to the quick and successful operation of tho new plan. Tho Viceroy has just broadcast an appeal for tho co-operation of the Indian people, and makes a special request to Congress to give its help in the working of the Constitution, the success of which will shorten the road to fuller political life. At the general election the Congress Party' secured majorities in six of the eleven provinces. Emboldened by this result, tho Pandit Nehru, leader of the party, said: “ We have a mandate from millions, and there is nothing in common between us. Wo shall resolutely and with a will proceed to put an end to the bogus Act forced upon us.” Mr Gandhi, who was at one time uncompromising in the matter, has shown a more conciliatory spirit of late. The main apprehension, so far as the provincial Icgi-ia I u res arc concerned, is

that the Governors would use their special powers for detailed interference in matters of administration. To allay this feeling an authoritative statement was made by tho British Government to the effect that it was certainly not tho intention .that the Governors, by a narrow or legalistic interpretation of their own responsibilities, should trench upon the wide powers which it was tho purpose of the British Parliament to place in tho hands of tho Ministries, and which it was desired they should use in furtherance of the programmes which they had, advocated. What tho Congress leaders sought was an assurance that if they accepted office the Governors would not employ their powers, if certain circumstances arose, to reject their advice and take other measures.

It was obviously impossible to grant such a request. The responsibilities entrusted to the Governors were vital. They included the protection of minorities, so important in a country in which religious fanaticism is intense, the maintenance of law and order, and vigilanco to see that no subversive activities are carried out. Mr Gandhi recently suggested that a tribunal shbuld bo set up -with the object of further considering tho powers vested in the Governors. Lord Linlithgow, in his broadcast, emphasises that no Governor is lightly going to destroy, for the sake of a legalistic interpretation of the Act, what might be the fruitful cooperation of years. No reference is made to Mr Gandhi’s proposal, and a Bombay journal describes it as a great opportunity missed. The' inference is that the idea has been carefully considered by the British Government, and tho conclusion reached that nothing would be gained by opening up this matter for further discussion. Lord Linlithgow, before becoming Viceroy, was chairman of royal commissions that sat in India to inquire into agricultural and constitutional questions, and he went to his high office armed with firsthand knowledge of the conditions in the country.- In a little hook that lie published some years ago he said: “ It may be remarked with truth that the ryot is India.” The humble peasant forms an enormous majority of the population. Ho is poverty-stricken, suffering from tho accumulated evils of centuries. The British Administration has done much to alleviate his lot. That is tho major task confronting the Government to-day. Unfortunately tho majority of the ryots are illiterate and easily swayed by political agitators. It is in this fact that tho chief hindrance to the smooth working of tho new Constitution will be found.