India’s Fate in the Balance

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 November 1931, Page 5

India’s Fate in the Balance

RAMSAY MacDONALD THREATENS TO RESIGN IF PLEDGE IS BROKEN, Received Monday, 1 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 22. It is understood the Indian discussions during the last few days reached a very delicate stage even within Cabinet itself. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald’s idea of granting provincial autonomy immediately with a pledge of later responsibility at the centre aroused hostility among the “diehard” Conservatives whereof Mr. Churchill is the most active. The views of this section percolated to Cabinet, leading Mr. MacDonald on Friday to hint that any departure from their former declarations would involve the question of his and Lord Sankey’s continuing in the Government. It is also understood that Sapru and other Indians indicated that the withholding of the prospect of ultimate responsibility from the centre would destroy the chances of federation. Prime Minister’s Effort (British Official Wireless.) Received Sunday, 9.50 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. 21 It is understood the question of the Indian conference has been considered by Cabinet. The Prime Minister has been devoting much time during the last few days to conference affairs and it had been confidently expected in view of the failure of the delgates to settle the communal problem that tho conference woijld be brought to an end this week, but in response to a desire for a conference discussion of some of, the safeguards considered necessary at the outset in any scheme of federation with responsibility at the centre, these proposed reserved subjects are still being debated in the Federal Structure Committee. The Prime Minister during last week had interviews with the Nawab of Bhopal, Gandhi, the Aga Khan, Sir Te] Saspru and other leaders. Late last night representations were made to the Prime Minister and Mr. Baldwin by a delegation representative of the Conservative India Committee in Parliament.