BRITAIN AND INDIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1945, Page 5

BRITAIN AND INDIA

GOVT.’S FURTHER EFFORT

(N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent)

(Rec. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 22. The visit to London for personal consultations by Lord Wavell. Viceroy of India, is believed to have been expedited by the rapid development of the campaign in Europe. It is understood that the discussions will cover a wide field and will include questions connected with the maintenance of India as a base for operations against Japan. •The “Manchester Guardian’s” diplomatic correspondent says thal the British Government would not agree that bv bringing the Viceroy Home it would be resuming political initiative in Jnciia. That would be putting it too high. What the Government would not deny is that it has been decided to have another look at the deadlock and see whether there is any opening for new British initiative. Inevitably, the move will be regarded as a response to the recent influential appeals to the Gov • eminent not to act as though it accepted no further obligations to help in ending the deadlock.

Whether that is so or not, says the correspondent, there is no mistaking the wide satisfaction there is that )he Government has moved, and there are notable signs that the move is being made in a genuine anxiety to see a solution achieved. One uses the word “anxiety” deliberately. The responsibility of the Indian parties for a solution is still emphasised, but now you also hear more about the British Government’s readiness to help. It sounds like a new note.