FEDERAL INDIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1931, Page 5

FEDERAL INDIA

• x THE NEW PARLIAMENT. [BY HARf.K—PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] — - (Received November 2, 8 a.m.) LONDON, November 1. The first concrete suggestions from the Round Table Conference embodies the draft report of the Federal. Structure Committee, which declares the solution of India’s constitutional future depends on federation of the provinces and States, including Indian, as well as British India, and recommends two Chambers of 200 and 300 members respectively. The repre sentatives of British Indian provinces in the Upper House should be erected by the provincial Legislatures. The Lower House should be elected directly from the* constituencies. The landlord interest, commerce and Labour should be specially represented. The Committee does not consider that the Governor-General should be empowered to nominate representatives. of the Crown in both Chambers, but. as the exclusion of elder statesmen, disincline<i to run for election, is undesirable, a small proportion of seats in the Upper House should be reserved for appointment, by the Gov-ernor-General, acting on the advice of his Ministers. If the Houses disagree the Governor-General ought to be empowered to call a joint session.' The Committee recommends that members take the oath of allegiance but do not suggest a formula.