SIMON REPORT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 147, 11 June 1930, Page 7

SIMON REPORT

UNANIMITY IMPORTANT CHAIRMAN’S THANKS TO PRESS. OENERAL SATISFACTION EXPRESSED. [British OSioial Wireleu.) (Received 11,12.30 p.m.) Rugby, June 10. Sir John Simon, chairman of the Indian Statutory Commission, when interviewed to-day emphasised the importance of the fact that the seven members of the Commission were unanimous in drafting the first part of the report of the Commission just published. (See page 8.) Sir John Simon expressed satisfaction at the prominence given in the Press to this part of the report. He considered the plan of producing the report in two parts with an interval between had thereby been justified. It was evident, he said, that the conditions of the Indian problem would be fully studied in this country, and the British public would thus be able to form conclusions regarding the recommedations which are to be put forward a fortnight hence in the second part of the report. SIGNIFICANCE YET TO BE REALISED. Another personage in close touch with the Commission said that the full significance of the unanimity of the first section of the report had vet to be realised. The fact that the Commission, which was drawn from all paries, had reached a common conclusion was likely to exercise a tremendous effect on the future treatment of the Indian situations. The newspapers understand that the second section of the report abb will be unanimous. A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT. Commenting on part one of the report the “Liberal Star” says that it is one of the greatest achievements in the art of governing that the world has seen. This remarkable document will stand for all time as a tribute to the mind and soul of a nation that has interpreted imperialism in a new light. “What use we shall make of it—or that Indian opinion will allow us to make of it —remains to be seen, but the foursquare basis is there for a great act of progress rjid understanding.” The “Star” adds that while the facts enumerated define difficulties ahead in carrying out the British pledge of the gradual development of self-governing institutions* in India, they do not weaken the pledge, they only suggest that a call is made on every good quality the Indian possesses to rise to a crises of vital import to the world.