INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1934, Page 7

INDIAN CONSTITUTION

VICEROY SUPPORTS PROPOSALS.

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, December 20.

The first public pronouncement by the Government of India, on the report of the Joint Select Committee, was made last night before the European Association at Calcutta, by Lord Willingdon. The Viceroy confirmed tlie assur-

ance given by the President that the Association considered the scheme laid down in the report as satisfactory, forming a reasonable basis for a constitution, as it would mark a notable step towards the goal presaged in the preamble of 1919. Referring to the position of the Princes, he hoped that when the Bill was laid on the table of the Commons, the Princes would find their position adequately safeguarded. They would then stand by their promise and the assurances of their representatives at the Round Table Conference, that they would be willing partners in an All India, Federation.

The Viceroy’s speech made it clear that he regarded the proposed constitutional framework as sound and workable, making an immense advance towards responsible Government. His constant effort while in India has always been to move India forward, until she achieved the great desire to arrive at a complete position of equal partnership within the Empire, with other Dominions under the Crown.