EQUAL IN PARTNERSHIP

Hawera Star, Volume L, 9 January 1931, Page 9

EQUAL IN PARTNERSHIP

\ BROTHERS OF BRITISH=INDIA

PRINCES’ DESIRE DECLARED

DISCUSSIONS OF CONFERENCE

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, Jan. 8. A general survey of the problems referred to by the Indian Round Table Conference to the Federal Structure Sub-Committee was completed to-day. Lord Sankey (chairman; anticipated that by Monday morning his report, representing the maximum measure of agreement reached by the discussions, will be in the hands of members of the sub-committee, which will meet for a prelintinar preview of the report on Monday afternoon. The examination will be continued on Tuesday and it is hoped that the sub-committee will, on Thursday, make its full report to the conference. The reports of various other sub-commit-tees will by then be available and the Prime Minister, after considering them, will make a declaration of the Government’s policy and intentions. If subsequent events follow the course anticipated the conference should .complete its labours by January 19 or 20. In announcing the above to the subcommittee, Lord Sankey said that although they still welcomed criticism they felt the time for construction had arrived. Sir Akbar Hydari. of Hyderabad, 1 said that he entirely agreed with Lord I Reading’s safeguards, which were in the interests of India herself. He was prepared to recommend to Lord Irwin to go to the extreme limit of concession, provided due provision was made for external and internal peace as well as for the security of the dynasty lie represented. In return he asked the British India representatives to not lightly set aside the exceptions he had taken to certain aspects of construction which had been edThe Maharajah of Bikaner .said that Lord Reading’s speech gave great satisfaction throughout India. At least 75 per cent, of the Indian States, if . not more, would come into the federation immediately and would soon be followed by others. The princes wanted to work as willing and co-equal partners with their brothers ol British India. Lord Peel said that before the Conservatives consented to the proposal I they must know in detail rvhat it actually was. There should be an end [ of all ambiguity which might lead to l the good faith of Britain being ques- ! tioned. Dealing more closely with the duties and responsibilities of the Viceroy, he said that some power of certification must be reserved in order to carry out, with the consent of Cabinet, the ordinary work of legislation. If the Viceroy was to be responsible for the army he must have undivided control and define the situation in which it was to be used and control its mobility and communications. It must bo required to. support the police and the Viceroy must therefore be kept in close touch with conditions in the provinces. The Viceroy should also have .control over the Budget and keep the closest touch with the movements of national finance.