FUTURE OF INDIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1939, Page 8

FUTURE OF INDIA

NEED FOR INTERNAL UNITY, [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, October 18. The Secretary of State for India (Lord Zetland), in the course of his reply to the debate in the House of Lords, said that the purpose of the 1935 Act was to provide machinery whereby India might acquire that measure of practical unity necessary as a pre-requisite and natural to the attainment of the eventual goal. It was compiled by immense labour, both Indian and British, and was based on the greatest measure of common agreement, then obtainable. Although providing a. written constitution, this was a mere skeleton given flesh by every-day working. This had happened in the provinces. He believed that if the Federal provisions were instituted, the same success would be obtained. Lord Zetland reiterated the Viceroy’s statement that when the war wus over the Government would be very willing to hear all interests on modifications of the plan arising in the light of existing circumstances. It was not practicable or not in the interests of the Indian peoples now to enter into controversies or embark on a task of great complexity in circumstances which, though existing now, might well not exist when victory was obtained in the war. . “What we have to work for is the elimination of the communal antagonisms which still militate agains unity in India. You cannot abolish them by merely closing your eyes to their existence. You must face them and search for means to remove thenunderlying causes. I believe the menace which now confronts' all of us Englishmen, Hindus, princes and peoples alike may aid us to achieve what hitherto has eluded our grasp. Concluding, Lord Zetland said: “This, then, is my appeal to the people of India—that in comradeship with us, while presenting a united front to the forces ranged' against us, they strive after that agreement among themselves without which they will surely fail to achieve that unity which is an essential of the nationhood of which those with vision among her leaders have long dreamed, and achievement of the long and intimate which must surely be the crowning political relationship between the peoples ot Britain and India.”

“PATHS DIVERGE COMPLETELY.” ALLAHABAD, October 19. “Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, formerly president of the Indian National Congress, referring to the declaration of the Viceroy (Lord Linlithgow) said: “The declaration negates democracy and freedom, and makes it clear that Britain is fighting to entrench Imperialism. India cannot be a party to an adventure which seeks to keep her and others in bondage. “The Indian and British paths diverge completely. There is no common ground between our two peoples.” HEDJAZ PILGRIMAGES TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS (Recd. Oct. 20, 11 a.m.). RUGBY, October 19. Some misunderstanding has been caused by the announcement made in India, on October 11, of the postponement. until further notice, of sailings from Indian ports to Jedda, in connection with, the Hedjaz pilgrimage. This announcement was one of the regrettable but inevitable consequences of the outbreak of the war. It was issued as a precautionary measure only, certain sailings being cancelled, and these only for a temporary period.

Both the British and Indian Governments are alive to the great importance of providing adequate facilities for the safe transport of Moslems wishing to undertake the pilgrimage. Every effort, accordingly, was made to secure a resumption of sailings, and arrangements have now been made for the reservation of a certain number of ships for pilgrims from Indian ports to the Hedjaz.