INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 June 1937, Page 7

INDIAN CONSTITUTION

VICEROY’S APPEAL [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, June 21. Lord Linlithgow, in his broadcast, made an eloquent appeal for confidence in the intentions embodied in the Government of India Act, and emphasised the extreme inexpediency of interrupting even temporarily the rhythm and momentum of continuous and progressive political reform, of which India was the scene.

Ho declared that the greatest triumph of Britain in India would be to help the establishment of those principles of representation and responsible fovernment which were the special contribution towards secular progress or mankind. The Viceroy’s message sympathetically appeals to Congress to co-operate in the working of the Constitution to enable India “to take the shortest road to the fuller political life which so many of you greatly desire.” He lengthily discussed the taechnicalities of a Governor’s position, including the resignation or dismissal of Ministers, in the event of the Governor using mandatory powers. He emphasises that no Governor is lightly going to destroy for the sake of a legalistic interpretation of the Act what might be the fruitful co-opera-tion of years. He welcomes .Gandhi’s suggestion that the severance of the partnership between the Governor and Minister is only essential in an event of major importance, and adds: If the deadlock continues and Parliamentary Government is suspended in a number of provinces, it might be beyond anyone’s power to reverse the circumstances which must then supervene.