MOUNTBATTEN’S FAREWELL TO INDIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22669, 21 June 1948, Page 5

MOUNTBATTEN’S FAREWELL TO INDIA

(10 a.m.) LONDON, June 20. Lord Louis Mountbatten will hand over the Governor-Generalship of India to Sir Chakravarty Rajagopalachari tomorrow. It is believed that Lord Mountbatten will return to active service in the Royal Navy. Lord Mountbatten, in a broadcast on the eve of his departure for England, said: “I hope time will show that I stayed long enough to be useful. It has been an unforgettable experience to have been privileged to be in India during the past historic 15 months.”. Lord Mountbatten added that India’s problems were complicated. Her freedom had been obtained at time of unparalleled world-wide difficulties. “I know she will solve these problems and her difficulties will be surmounted,” he added. Lord and Lady Mountbatten were earlier received at Government House by Sir C. Rajagopalachari, who will be sworn in as Governor-General of India tomorrow.

Lord and Lady Mountbatten will leave by air for London tomorrow morning. One hundred thousand people from Old and New Delhi thronged the municipal grounds to farewell Lord and Lady Mountbatten. The Mayor presented Lord Mountbatten with a 15in. ivory statuette of Mr. Gandhi in the pose of prayer. Crowds rushed to shake hands with Lord Mountbatten shouting, “Pandit Mountbatten ki jai, meaning “Victory to the learned man, Mountbatten.” A further dinner was given Lord and Lady Mountbatten by the Indian Cabinet. Lord Mountbatten presented India on His Majesty’s behalf with 10 pieces of gold plate which had been at Government House for 18 years. The gold plate, consistinf of trays and ornate bowls weighs over 1001 b.

HYDERABAD WARNED OF SEVERE HARDSHIPS (10 a.m.) NEW DELHI, June 20.

Mor Laik All, Prime Minister of Hyderabad, warned the people of Hyderabad in a broadcast that because of the breakdown of negotiations relations with India might involve severe hardships, risks and privations. He said the blockade by India might be intensified.

“You will have to face all that, perhaps more, and prove your worth,” he added.

Reuter’s correspondent learns that a last-minute appeal by Lord Mountbatten to the Nizam of Hyderabad to settle the dispute between India and Hyderabad on the basis of the draft agreement announced on June 17 by Mr. Nehru proved ineffectual.

GANDHI MEMORIAL STAMP ISSUE .

(10 a.m.) NEW DELHI, June 20. Thirty million Gandhi memorial stamps will be issued on the first anniversary of Indian Independence Day, August 15, ranging from 10 rupees to one and a half annas.