INDONESIA'S FUTURE

Evening Star, Issue 25634, 7 November 1945, Page 5

INDONESIA'S FUTURE

. DUTCH OUTLINED FULL PARTNER IN DUTCH KINGDOM MANY POINTB FOR ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) BATAVIA, Nov. 6. A plan for a democratic representative body with a substantial majority of Indonesian members to govern the Netherlands East Indies under a Governor-General ■ was announced by the LieutenantGovernor, Dr H. J. Van Mook, today in the long-postponed statement of policy about the future of the Indies. The statement says Indonesia will be called upon to become a full partner in the Dutch kingdom, which will, be organised as a commonwealth, consisting of participating territories. The manner in which the basic idea will be developed is to be a matter for a round table conference. Dr Van Mook* added that it would have been useless and incompatible with the dignity of the Government to have published proposals while antiNetherlands propaganda and a system of terrorism were operating against dissenting opinion. " Now that the danger for the liberated internees has ■been lessened, through the aid of our allies, andl the situation with regard to freedom of speech and contact seems improved somewhat, the moment has come to elaborate the Government's programme based on Queen Wilhelmina's speech of December 6, 1942. The Government recognises the legitimate aspirations of the Indonesians towards national existence, and is convinced that these aspirations can be realised ! bjr a process of evolution through friendly co-operation between the Indonesians and the Netherlands," he said. "The-general purpose, therefore, is the rapid development of Indonesia as a partner in a kingdom which can be constructed to guarantee the national self-respect of all member peoples. To that end the central Government of this country will have to be reconstructed by legal process in such away that it will consist of a democratic repreI sentative body with a substantial majority of Indonesian members and a council of Ministers under a governor-general representative of the Crown.. This organisation to govern the internal affairs of the country will be assisted by a subordinate organisation to take care of regional and local and public interests. ( " Suffrage will be the subject of further consultation, but it will have to rest on the foundation of freely-shaped public opinion and adequate representation of all important sections of the body politic." The statement says the manner in which the partnerships will be realised will be proposed by a round-table conference, and be decided by the kingdom's constitutional authorities. Problems like that of a" regional flag, besides the flag of the kingdom, will be similarly decided. RACIAL EQUALITY. " The admission of Indonesians and other non-Dutch citizens to the general services of the kingdom can oe systematically increased forthwith," said the statement. " The admission of citizens of non-Netherlands origm to the.highest'posts of all public services will be vigorously extended, and regulations baaed on racial discrimination will be abrogated or ■ reformed. Posts will he found for Indonesians in the management of businesses. Distinctions between a Netherlands and an Indonesian civil service will be abolished, and unification of penal courts procedures will be completed." In educational activities the statement promises reorganisation to eradicate illiteracy as rapidly as possible, and the development of the Indonesian civilisation, the Indonesian language, and other important native languages to make them serviceable for the needs of every-day life and the re- - cognition of Indonesian as the official language beside the Dutch. The -replanning of economic policy will provide room for the increasing participation of Indonesians, IndoChinese, and Indo-Arabs in big business. " The expansion of native capital will be vigorously advanced. Efficient co-operation with the Netherlands and other countries should strengthen this policy without influencing its aim." The statement says though muoh of what happened during and after occupation is better forgotfcen ; a number of those who committed crimes against felloAV citizens and voluntarily assisted the enemy must be brought to justice. All stolen property must be - stored and all arms which had been passed over by the enemy or have been stolen must be restored to the Allies, and the carrying of arms restricted to people legally entitled to do- so. Saying the citizens of Indonesia will be clearly circumscribed on the foundation of racial equality, the statement winds up that it is the intention of the Government to convene a roundtable conference at the earliest possible date. "The present dissensions carry the country near to chaos, which neither the people nor the international world can tolerate. A way has lieen pointed out whereby the present barren discord can be ended."