STATUS OF INDIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1929, Page 7

STATUS OF INDIA

’ LONDON PRESS COMMENTS. (By Gable—Press Assn— Copyright.) LONDON, November 8. There is a general feeling of relief that the Indian debate is over. As a member of the Statutory Commission remarked, it was unfortunate that Paliament was obliged to discuss India at all at present. Com. Wedgwood Been’s speech is not, considered to be quite satisfactory from one holding such a high office as Secretary for India. Several papers .declare it should have been weightier, steadier and franker. The Conservative Press, which for the past few days has manifested an anxiety to protect Mr Baldwin from the attacks made respecting his attitude, naturally devote their editorials this morning to this aspect of the question. They thoroughly commend his action throughout. The “Daily Telegraph” expresses the opinion that the Secretary of State for India mismanaged a delicate business. The “Morning Post” complains that the House of Lords were told one thing and the House of Commons were told another thing. “We have a Govemment speaking with two contrary voices,” it says. “We have, the National Congress offering an pretation which the Secretary of State will neither affirm nor repudiate. We have confusion, and can only hope against , h°P e that we shall not in future have to surrender.” . The “Daily Chronicle” says: It is not enough to say that Lord Irwin s statement meant what it said, lhe fact is that the Indians have interpreted it as meaning that full Dominion status is to be granted forthwith. Mr Lloyd George asked for a definite statement that that interpretation was inaccurate, and Commander Wedgwo’od Benn ought to have replied frankly to this effect.” “The Times” says : ‘ The Government case, in the main, is a perfectly strong one. The Viceroy’s statement that the goal was unchanged has been welcomed in India at its face value, no more and no less. It may be predicted, with confidence, that the statutory (Simon) Committee’s report has a real chance of being pondered and discussed in the country most concerned, and that, after all, is what matters most.” ’

MR. LANSBURY’S MESSAGE. LONDON, November 7. Mr P. Snowden, was . questioned in the House regarding Mr Geo. Lansbury’s recent message to India. Mr. Snowden said that the letter was a personal appeal, and it contained nothing inconsistent with the Government’s policy. Captain Wedgwood Benn added: “Mr Lansbury’s letter had my entire approval, and it has made an excellent impression in India.” —(Cheers).