STATUS OF INDIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1939, Page 8

STATUS OF INDIA

REQUEST FOR INDEPENDENCE. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, October 17. The Calcutta cerrospondenl ol “'rhe Times” savs the Bihar Assembly passed a resolution that, in order- to secure the co-operation of the Indian people in the war, the principles oi democracy should be applied to India. Tho Assembly therefore invited the British Government to declare clearly that it regards India as an independent nation, and to take suitable action, so far as possible in the immediate present, to effectuate the declaration. 1 . .. The resolution will be moved m ail provincial legislatures in which theie are Congress Governments. IDEALS AND CONSTITUTION STATEMENT BY VICEROY [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] (Recd. October 18, noon) RUGBY, October 17. A statement by the Viceroy of India, Lord Linlithgow, issued to-day, states that, following discussions with 52 leaders o'f Indian political life, representing all parties and opinions, matters have reached a point when a statement should be made. Clarification was desired on three essential matters: (1) As to the objectives and hopes in the present war, and to what extent they are such that India can associate herself with them?

(2) What are the hopes and intentions as to her future, contemplated in the constitutional sphere, for the Indian Contingent?

(3) In what way can best be satisfied the Indian peoples’ desire for closer and effective association in the prosecution of the war? These questions were dealt with in order, and, as to the first, the Viceroy points out the impossibility of a detailed definition, except that “We are fighting to resist aggression, whether directed against ourselves or others.”

Dealing with the second, he reviews the operations of the Government of India Act, 1935, as so far applied, and, after paying a tribute to “the distinguished record of public achievement during the last two and a-half years” attained by the Provincial Governments, said the Act contemplated that the second stage would be the reconstruction of the Central Government on such a basis as to achieve the essential goal of Indian unity. This stage was necessarily suspended, but, as to the future, he reiterated the statement of Lord Irwin, that “the natural issue of India’s progress is the attainment of Dominion status.” The 1935 Act, he states, was based on the greatest measure of common agreement obtainable at the then existing time.

FUTURE GOVERNMENT When, at the end of the present war, consideration of a. plant for the future government of India was resumed, “the British Government will be very willing to enter into consultation with the representatives of the several communities and parties interested in India, and with Indian Princes, with a view to securing their aid and co-op-eration in framing such modifications as seem desirable.” The scheme was open to modification, in the light of Indian views, and the Government. Although a more-extensive scheme and wider-phrased indications of future intentions is desired in some quarters, he points out the diversity of interests to be coinsidered, and the magnitude of the task of arriving at the largest measure of agreement, and says, “With the best will in the world progress must be conditioned by practical considerations.” Dealing with the third point, he says. “India's contribution has impressed the world’s imagination. At the head of the list I would put the contribution which India has made in spiritual, and not in material terms —the support of her peoples for a cause which they can regard as a good , and righteous cause. As a result of conversations with the leaders, he had reached the conclusion that the future course of India’s association with the war can best be secured by the establishment of a consultative group, drawn by the Government from panels prepared by the major political parties, rrepresentatives of the Princes, and presided over by the Governor-General. In conclusion he stressed the value of Indian unity in the face of the real and imminent danger, to civilisation and ideals, as precious to India, as to any country in the world. “It is my hope that, in the grave juncture we face, India, will go forward as a united country, in support of the common cause.”