CONFERENCE PROGRESS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 18 December 1930, Page 5

CONFERENCE PROGRESS

PROVINCIAL CONSTITUTIONS DISCUSSION ON BURMA STATUS FURTHER COMMITTEES SET UP ißntlsli Oftioia.l Wir*..csss ) RUGBY, Dee. Hi. The Prime Minister presided over the Indian conference when it sat in full committee to-day to consider the reports of the sub-committees on Burma and provincial constitutions and the interim report of the federal structure, sub-eouuuitt.ee. The Prime Minister said the reports were not being adopted in the ordinary way, but had merely been brought back to the- full Committee to enable any member to make observations regarding the proposals. 'The proposals had l to be 'considered, merely as raw material for the purpose of drawing up the final scheme. The federal' structure interim report was adopted: practically without comment.

When the provincial constitution report was discussed the view was advanced on Ibehalf of certain minorities that their representation in the Cabinet should be statutory. The view was also expressed that the Governor's emergency powers were too wide and vague. There was general agreement that special powers for Governors were necessary, although no very specific opinions were expressed as to what, these should be.

When the Burma sub-committee's report, was under discussion Mr Shiva Rao and some ’other British-Indian delegates expressed l doubt whether the Burmese really .did desire separation from India, and suggested that the question might be decided by local' inquiry. The [Burmese delegate, U. Ba Pe. said separation from India was a universal desire in Burma, but some wanted separation now with Dominion status later while others were opposed to separation now because of the dou'bt whether they would receive Dominion status later.

The conference decided to set up additional sub-committees. One will report on what modifications, if any, are to be made in the general provincial constitution to suit the special circumstances of the north-west frontier province. Another ■will consider on what main principle the franchise is to be based for men and women.

A third will consider the questions of political principle relating to defence other than strictly constitutional aspects’ under headings of powers of the executive and relations with known terms of reference, being meant to include such 'questions as Indian taxation but to exclude minor administrative matters.

A fourth sub-committee will consider the relations of the service to the new political structures, including such subjects as responsibility for internal administration and police in the provinces.

A sub-committee -on the question of the Supreme iCourt will also be set up and Lord Sankey’s sub-committee will have referred to it points four and five on the Lord 'Chancellor's list of heads of subjects, namely, what arc to be federal and what central subjects and, secondly should there be few subjects at. first with power to increase them or would it be better to have as many subjects as possible now. Following the usual procedure the members of these sub-Committees will be nominated by the chairman, on the advice of the business committee, which will meel to consider the matter to-morrow.