GOVT. OF INDIA ACT

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1936, Page 7

GOVT. OF INDIA ACT

PARLIAMENT’S BLESSING

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS]

RUGBY, June 12. The Commons, to-day, debated a

umber of draft Orders-in-Council,

under the Government of India Act, which will have the effect of bringing

into operation the whole of the Act, except part two, relating to Indian Federation. The Under-Secretary for India, Mr. R. A. Butler, moving approval of the Orders, said that if provincial autonomy was to be inaugurated on April 1, the timetable which the Government had in mind was that the General Elections should be held approximately eight months hence. Spokesmen for the Labour Opposition and the Liberal Party joined in wishing the scheme tne fullest measure of success. Sir S. Hoare. who, as Secretary lor India, piloted the India Bill through, speaking for the first time as First Lord of the Admiralty, added his blessing. He said that a significant and satisfactory fact in the debate was that no one suggested the initiation of provincial autonomy should be delayed, although there had been criticism of some of the financial proposals. As a result of the Orders, the provinces, several of which were of greater magnitude than some European countries, would have the opportunity for the first time, on an extended scale, of developing their own provincial life. Mr. Winston Churchill and Mr. Amery, the two principal critics of the Bill, also spoke. Mr. Churchill 'said he and his friends would do nothing to obstruct «the carrying-out of the policy, which Parliament had approved. Mr. Amery expressed a wish that there might go from the House a message of goodwill to the new provinces, and to India as a whole.