POLITICAL REFORM

Evening Star, Issue 22682, 23 June 1937, Page 9

POLITICAL REFORM

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT VICEROY’S APPEAL FOR CO-OPERATICK Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, Juno 22. Lord Linlithgow (Viceroy ot India), in a broadcast, made an eloquent appeal for confidence in tho intentions embodied in tho Government of India Act, and emphasised the extreme inexpediency of interrupting, even temporarily, tho rhythm and momentum of the continuous and progressive political reform of which India was the scene. He declared that tho greatest triumph of Britain in India would bo to help in tho establishment of those principles of representative and responsible government which were a special contribution towards the secular progress of mankind. ' . The Viceroy’s message sympathetically ‘ appealed to Congress to cooperate m tho working of the Constitution, to enable India “to take the shortest road to fuller political life, which so many of you greatly desire. The Viceroy lengthily discussed the technicalities of the position of the Governors, including the.resignation or dismissal of Ministers, in the event of a Governor using his mandatory powers. Ho emphasised that no Governor was lightly going to destroy, for the sake of a legalistic interpretation of the Act, what might be the fruitful co-operation of years. The Viceroy welcomed Mahatma Gandhi’s suggestion that the severance of the partnership between a Governor and his Minister was only essential in an event of major importance, and added: “ If the deadlock continues and parliamentary government is suspended m a number of provinces, it might be beyond anyone’s power to reverse the circumstances which must then supervene.” CONGRESS LEADERS RESERVE COMMENT BOMBAY, Juno 22. (Received June 23, at 10 a.m.) Tho Congress leaders reserve comment on Lord Linlithgow’s message. The Working Committee of Congress will meet'on July 5. An official opinion is that the position has not improved. The Bombay ‘Chronicle’ says that the Viceroy missed a great opportunity by refusing to respond, to Mr Gandhi’s gesture. ■