INDIAN REFORM

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1928, Page 6

INDIAN REFORM

COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY, i- • (British Official -Wireless.) (Received this day at 12.25. p:m.) RUGBY, September 25. The Statutory Commission on Indian Reform is due to leave London on ‘Thursday for a tour of India, during which evidence will be taken by the iCbmrmssion at Various centres. The vist will last seven months, and Sir (Tohri Simon, head of the Commission, was -to-day . bntertained at a farewell luncheon at under the chairmanship of the Marquis of Reading. Sir John Simon said the British Parliament had an immense responsibility fo the’ people of India and it seemed to the ; Commission that, they could best act as an interpreter to the British Parliament on Indian needs and aspirations, if these were ; associated with them in their inquiry.. In every province an Indian Committee was elected by the provincial - legislature, which would act as their colleagues, and assist their investigations. Lt was deep satisfaction to know that this plan had been generally approved. Eight out of nine provinces bad resolved to adopt it'and the ninth had not yet finally deluded. In more than one case the provincial council, which at first resolved not to co-operate, had reversed its decision and appointed its committee.

' Sir John added : “ Our duty is not to epact lor. decide but. bi’ing home to. the British 1 people the realities .of the India A problem and, tb act.as jnferpreteis to -the British Parliament of the wishes and aspirations of the people of India. ’ “ The Indian question in the years now coming is, likely to become the 1 greatesti'pf' all -cases,in which y-ou have tb recohefle authority with freedofti. Let us never forget, while Britain conferred on Indian the blessings of order and settled government, and a sense of unity and experience of disinterested admimstratiop; it also roused, 'in the leaders of. Indian Opinion, a desire for constitutional development and belief In the”yiftues of self-government which is . the inevitable consequence of western 'education and of parliamentary experience. No Briton would complain if Indians should be eager to apply the lesson which our imperial history had taught the British people and have to lend their aid as sympathisers and as ‘friends .in what is perhaps the greatest external question laid upon the statesmanship of to-day—the tremendous weaving together of the East and West.