DELHI CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 December 1940, Page 8

DELHI CONFERENCE

MR. AMERY’S APPRECIATION [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, December 1. In a speech, Mr. Amery spoke of the Delhi Conference, which he described as being a significant example of both the character and resources of the British Commonwealth. The Conference’s work led to a realisation of the possibilities of co->operation and distribution, which will add, to an extent hitherto undreamt of, to the munitions output of the countries which met at Delhi, said Mr. Amery. Recalling Mr. Churchill’s words, Mr. Amery said that the Conference indeed called into being a new world of armed strength, to redress the balance of the old. Of its effect on the future, Mr Amery said it was of special significance for India, although her internal constitutional development had not yet attained that full measure of self-government which was the goal of the British Government, and that attainment depended more upon agreement between the Indian States, as to the right nature of the constitution, than upon the British Government.

Mr. Amery pointed out that the Delhi Conference had been laying for India the foundations of increased industrial and defensive power, which were essential conditions in the world of to-day, for true selfgovernment. Concluding, Mr. Amery said: “In spite of artificial political agitations and party manoeuvres, India is, I believe, in fact steadily advancing towards that full equal partnership in the British Commonwealth, which we are pledged to help her to attain.”

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE. (Received December 2, 10.50 a.m.) BOMBAY, Decembei’ 1. ■ After a fortnight of extended individual civil disobedience, under Gandhi’s guidance, about 100 members of the Congress Party have been arrested under the Defence Regulations, including four former Premiers, 11 former Ministers, five Speakers or Presidents of Provincial Legislatures, and seven members of •the Congress Working Committee.