MESSAGE FROM THE KING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 11 February 1921, Page 5

MESSAGE FROM THE KING.

ACTION BY EXTREMISTS

(Reuter.)

DELHI, Feb. 7- -- The King',s Message, read at ths inauguration of the Council of Staite, congratulated the country on the success

of its jyears of labour.

<<Btojwarß;"flie

said, "maybe for generations, patriotic ... f and loyal Indians have dreamed of "TV^waraj . for th^ir motherland. Tonlay you have the beginnings of. -swaraJ : within any Smpire, with the .widest eoope and ample opportunity for .progress to the liberty, which my other Dominions enjoy."

After referring to the responsibilities iavolved, the King atftled; "Upon you lies the duty to convince the world of the wisdom of this great constitutional change, and to work for the intereste *nd upliftment of the millions of your fellow-couiltrymen who are not yet qualified for a share in political "life. I shall watdh your work with unfailing sympathy and resolute faith in your determination'to do your duty to India and the Empire."

The Duke of Connaught, in "the •course of a speech elaborating the "King's message and they Viceroy's utterances, appended to be allowed "to add a few words of a personal nature.' He 6aid that Since he landed he felt around "him the "bitterness of the estrangement between those who had been and those -tfho should; (be .friends. "The shadow of the Amrrfcsar troubles •of last year "had lengthened over the fair face of India. Be knew the deep «oncern felt by the King and Emperor -at the terrible chapter of events in the Punjaub, and he said -no one could deplore "Chese events more than himself. He had -reached a time -of life when he most desired to heal wounds and re■anite those who had been disunited, «nd in this, which, he feared, would he Ibis last vi^t to India, which he loved

mo well, 'he desired to appeal to the NBrilrisli and Indians to bury ihe mis."TSakes and misunderstandings -of the fast, forgive where they had to forgive, join hands, and work together to realise the hopes that arise from to-day. (Aus.-N.Z- Cable Assn.)

A complete boycott exists in tne cißy, all shops being closed. There are no vehicles and few people in the streets. Ghandi's proclamation was

published in a local extremist paper, ordering abstention from the Duke's reception. Several thousand agitators surround the Palace.

The Nawab of Tonk, in Rajputana State, demanding reform, the Diwar, or Prime Minister, fled from Jaipur. Colonel Benn, British Resident, was prevented from coming to Delhi, which act is attributed to the extremists. The situation is uncertain.