HARMONY NEEDED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20208, 29 March 1940, Page 9

HARMONY NEEDED

FACTIONS IN INDIA ATTAINING NATIONHOOD VALUE OF FEDERATION OPINION IN BRITAIN (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 3 p.m. RUGBY, March 27. The difficulties inherent in India’s constitutional controversy to which attention has been again directed in the last few days by the criticisms by the president of the Moslem League, Mr. Jinnah, of federation, are discussed editorially in The Times. The article points out that, rightly or wrongly, the Moslem League is unwilling to see Moslem India subjected to majority rule of another community which adheres to a different faith and culture and emphasises that the League, under Mr. Jinnah, is regarded even by Mr. Gandhi, as representing the majority of poli-tically-minded Moslems. Its views cannot lightly be brushed aside by those charged with seeking a settlement in India.

The Times’ article continues: “Congress Party leaders seem unwilling to recognise the fact that the more their power is extended, the less is their predominance liked by other elements in India, whose influence and numbers are far from being negligible. British faith in federation derives from the belief that it represents a genuine effort to harmonise those conflicting opinions which prevent India from automatically attaining nationhood. “The final constitution for India can only emerge from agreement among the Indians themselves and the prospects of Indian nationhood will brighten when the Indian leaders recognise this and agree to harmonise their views in the interests of their country. - v “In this process the Congress Party leaders will find the Moslems and the princes as anxious to obtain self-Gov-ernment as they are, but they are not prepared to accept complete independence which the Congress Party demands.’’