INDIAN ATTITUDE TO COMMONWEALTH MAY BE CHANGED

Grey River Argus, 29 October 1948, Page 5

INDIAN ATTITUDE TO COMMONWEALTH MAY BE CHANGED

(Rec 9.0 p.m.) LONDON, Oct 28. Summing up Indian reactions to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers, discussions in London, The Times New Delhi correspondent says it is apparent • that there has been a change of front by Indian critics, who, before the London conference opened, were asserting vehemently that India had no alternative, sistent with her desire to be a sovereign independent Repubic,” but to leave the Commonwealth. These same critics now realise that Britain and her older Dominions, are ready and willing to make such adjustments as would enable the three Asian countries —India, Pakistan, and Ceylon—to reconcile their newlyfound nationhood with membership of the Commonwealth. NEXT MOVE

It is generally felt, the Times correspondent says, that the next move is up to the Indian Constituent Assembly, which meets again early next month to consider a draft constitution.

Several Indian newspapers hint that, in the light of the London discussions, the Assembly will have decide whether the goal of a Republic is a genuine demand, calling for immediate attainment, or whether it was adopted at a time when feeling against Britain was not sufficiently balanced, and can, therefore be kerb in abeyance. But this is not to say that the prevailing Indian sentiment is any- different on the need for India to assert her complete independence, if necessary, by breaking the link with the British Crown. “It merely means,” the correspondent adds, “that Indian political commentators now appreciate . better, how irrevokable a step of secession from the Commonwealth must necessarily be, and are, therefore, less forthright in demanding it.”