INDIAN AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1933, Page 7

INDIAN AFFAIRS

FRONTIER OPERATIONS. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] August 16. Aeroplanes reconnoitring hostile tribal territory were fired on heavily by snipers hidden in villages, also by Upper Mohmand tribesmen, when they were marching, it is believed, to make a new attack. The airmen were not wounded. As a retaliation, bombs were dropped on the Mohmand tribesmen, who dispersed in panic. A clash occurred between Mohmands and Hamimzais. The latter were compelled to retreat in face of superior numbers,’ but inflicted heavy casualties on'the enemy, who lost eighteen dead and many wounded. Air-craftsman Castle, of the 27th R.A.F. Wapitis Squadron, was killed, and Flight Lieiitenant- Slocombe was injured in an air crash during bad weather on the frontier between Kohat and Bannu. RUGBY, August 16. The situation of the North-West Frontier of India is practically unchanged. Small parties of Pinwaris from Afghanistan are reported to have joined the Upper Mohmands, but there has been no fighting beyond night sniping of the camp at Dand, and frequent firing at aeroplanes. There have been no internal reactions to trans-Border trouble beyond slight recrudescence of the Red Shirt movement, but it is stated that the north-west .frontier province villagers are receiving the Red Shirt agitators very coldly. Rain has fallen in the Ghalanai region, damaging the roads. A British column has moved to Katsai, where hostile tribesmen are reported. GANDHI’S DEATH-FAST OFF. (Received August 17, 10 a.m.) CALCUTTA, August. 16. Gandhi began a fast unto death at Yeravda goal, to-day, in connection with his demands that he be allowed facilities for carrying on his “untouchable” work in gaol, as when he was a prisoner before. The Government acceded to his request, and the fast was abandoned. RESERVE BANK BILL

LONDON, August 16.

Sir S. Hoare, introducing the report of a Committee on Indian Bank Reserve Bank legislation, issued yesterday evening, says the prime purpose is to facilitate drafting the Reserve Bank Bill, which in all probability will be submitted to the Indian Legislature in September with a view to its passage into law later in the year. The committee accept the principle that the bank should, be free from political influence.