INDIAN LEGISLATURES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 March 1937, Page 7

INDIAN LEGISLATURES

CONGRESS AND OFFICE GHANDI’S DECIDING VOICE ~ ' -- . •’ ’ [BY CARLE —PRESS ASSISf. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. March 17, 8.30 a.m.) - NEW' DELHI, March 16. ' s While Lord'Linlithgow was speaking at a dinner, declaring, “Faith and -courage in order to serve the highest' ends of the people,’’ the representatives of the Congress Party, from all over India, held a meeting to decide whether; to accept office in the Provin ciaU-Legislatures. Ghandf,” though he has no official status, attended the working committee’s preliminary discussion. It is everywhere .jeepgnised that his voice will determine decision. * The-- general* opinion, favouring acceptance, miiy be substantiated, but it is generally held that, stultifying conditions- will be attached. The opinions of the delegates fall .J--into three categories: firstly, opposition to acceptance, owing to the view that it' would*«* mean the • temporary abandonment of the extremist . policy; secondly, acceptance as a means of combating the if necessary, by deadlocks; 'thirdly, •that the Constitution, though far short of the Party’s demand, should be worked for the benefit of- the ‘people, until a breakdown is forced. l; The party’s : unreadiness at present •to conduct a comprehensive anti-Con- > stitutional campaign .is likely to influence the decision. 1 ;' ‘ Lord Linlithgow, in the course of ? his speech, said it was inevitable that the advent of such profound constitutional changes would be accompanied by some degree of stress and difficulty, ? but he was confident that adjustments -, will be made. The opportunities '-for , v useful and honourable service were very great. ' y CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE. (Recd. March 17, 2 p.m.) .NEW DELHI, March 16. The Working Committee has decided on the acceptance of office, conditionally upon assurances that the ' . special powers of GOvefnofsTwiH not iii be-used. ' .. '■™_?