INDIAN LOYALTY

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 October 1939, Page 8

INDIAN LOYALTY

LORD ZETLAND’S TRIBUTE. | [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

(Received October 19, 11.45 RUGBY, October 18. Lord Zetland, Secretary for India, replying to the debate in the Lords, raised by Lord'Snell on the Viceioy s statement, said that the outbreak o war immediately evoked from one enc of India to the other a violent protest against the outrage committed by the Nazi Government, and resulted ni spontaneous offers of support, irrespective of class or community. I nor to the war. however, the Congress Partv protested against troop moi enients, occasioned by the necessary defence measures, although these precautionary moves were communicated to the leaders of all political parties in the Assembly. Passing from this phase, Lord Zetland, dealing with the position at the outbreak of war, stated that, with his approval, the Viceroy had been for a long time in close touch with Mr. Gandhi, and he expressed gratitude for Mr. Gandhi’s readiness to help, not only in interpreting the Congress viewpoint and aspirations, but also by an endeavour to appreciate the difficulties and outlook of the British Government. Mr Gandhi had given much help m the attempt to surmount these difficulties. The invitation to meet the Viceroy was immediately accepted, and, as the outcome of the conversations, Mr Gandhi publicly stated, in a personal capacity, that his view was “that in the struggle upon which the country had entered, India should give unconditional support to the British Government.” Lord Zetland' then mentioned the comprehensive statement of the Congress Working Committee, which had received careful consideration. He said': “Broadly speaking, its effect was, while condemning unequivocally 7 the action of the German Government to make clear that, before Congress could decide to give support, it wishes to be informed of the British war aims, particularly how those aims would apply to India.” . Meanwhile, the Working Committee of the All India Moslem League, the next most-powerful organisation in Indian politics, issued a statement, also condemning the Nazis, but expressing views on the internal political situation showing a substantial divergence from the views of Congress. The Viceroy also received the views of the Princes, and the National Liberal League, as well as the leaders of minorities.

Out of this background of the Indian picture, two main features arose. First, the unanimous desire of all communities to see the overthrow of the menace overshadowing Europe and mankind; and, second, the desire for self-expression in forms of democratic, political self-government. “But the minorities demand safeguards against the majority,” Lord Zetland! continued, “and, herein, is found the root cause of the main difficulty. For this reason, the problem of Indian self-government is not so simple as it appears to those confining their views to one part, of the picture only.” Members of the Viceroy’s Consultative Commitee, which was maintaining close touch with all aspects of the war, would be in a position to give free and frank expression on all matters laid before them, and, being fully representative of the members of all communities and working in close association with each other, would tend gradually to lessen the differences now existing between the various interests, and would emphasise the common viewpoints of all taking part in the work. Speaking of the future, the Secretary for India said the object of the British Government, as ever, was the attainment of Dominion status for India. CONGRESS HOSTILITY. (Received October 19, 1.40 p.m.) ALLAHABAD, October IS. Mr. Gandhi, in a statement on Lord Linlithgow’s declaration, said that Congress will not co-operate with Britain in the war. Congress and the Press generally are bitterly hostile. Nevertheless, moderate members of Congress are of* opinion that the declaration contains nothing preventing India from giving unqualified support to the Allies. Non-Congress circles generally welcome the declaration. They remind Congress that it does not alone represent India.