SEEKING FORMULA FOR INDIA“Two-tier” Basis For Empire Membership

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 April 1949, Page 7

SEEKING FORMULA FOR INDIA—-“Two-tier” Basis For Empire Membership

(Recd. 1 p.m.) LONDON, April 25. Two sessions of the Prime Ministers’ meeting were held today—one in the afternoon, the other at night. It is learned that as a result of these meetings there was an agreement that a joint declaration of the basis of association between the members of the Commonwealth should be considered. Included in this declaration, it is stated, would be the acceptance by India, along with the other members, of the special status of the King as the symbol of free association in the Commonwealth, but unlike the others India would owe no allegiance to the Crown. It is understood that, although this “two-tier” basis of membership is generally acceptable to all the Dominions, Australia and New Zealand are anxious that the clearest possible definition of the special status of the King should be made in any declaration. It is also understood that the issue of the Crown will form the main part of any declaration which may be made.

Informed quarters say there are three main points in India’s approach to the question of her continuation in the Commonwealth. These are:—1. Commonwealth co-operation must not in any way compromise her complete republican independence. 2. That there can be no questions of Commonwealth association involving her in any military alliance. 3. In keeping with the Commonwealth traditions, problems of international policy will be. taken up op their merits as they arise. Awkward For Pakistan

India has always indicated that she wishes to be free of advance commitments. The Pakistan Prime Minister, Liaquat All Khan, and his country are anxious to remain within the Commonwealth, but their future must be, to a great extent, affected when India becomes a republic. The Australian Associated Press says the Dominion Prime Ministers are still optimistic of the outcome of their meetings, but very cautious about the form the formula would take. It is evident that the primary issue to be decided is the place of the Crown. Australia and New Zealand hold firm views on this issue. They are supported by Pakistan and Ceylon. It is understood that India is prepared to concede the place of the Crown in a more limited degree than is acceptable to Australia and New Zealand at this stage. Proposals Studied Reuter’s political correspondent says the session studied definite proposals to keep both republics and kingdoms within the Commonwealth. It is believed the search for a plan allowing a nation to remain in the Commonwealth without owing alle-

giance to tlie Crown was narrowed. Some Dominions considered the Crown link to be an indispensable basis of Commonwealth association. The correspondent adds that, the meeting was seeking to recognise a symbol of assoeiation embracing all the Dominions which wish to be linked by the Crown, and Republican India as well. Many quarters believed this may be possibly achieved by India’s recognition of the special status of the King in the wider sense of Commonwealth relations only.