INDIA’S CONSTITUTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 303, 18 November 1930, Page 7

INDIA’S CONSTITUTION

PLEA FOR DOMINION STATUS DISCUSSION AT PLENARY SESSION (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Beceived November 18, 12.20 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. 17. When the Plenary Session of the Indian Round Table Conference opened this morning, the Prime Minister, Air Ramsay MacDonald, read a message from Lord Stamfordham stating that the King had received with much satisfaction the communication expressing the dutiful thanks of the conference to the King for undertaking the opening ceremony, and to the Queen for the kindly solicitude displayed toward the delegates. Before the meeting proceeded with the agenda prepared by the business committee, the Prime Alinister extended a cordial welcome to the delegates. He said that they must keep in mind two things—they were there to co-operate together, and they must be animated by the determination to succeed.

An interesting discussion was provoked by a recommendation of the business committee that the question should be debated whether the future constitution of India should be on a federal or a unitary basis. It was suggested that the general trend of such discussion would enable the conference, with the help of the committee, to frame a programme for future discussion in committee. The Prime Minister indicated that lie would, as chairman, rule that a liberal interpretation be put upon tho committee’s report and would allow the delegates to refer to cognate questions. FEDERAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT. In opening the general discussion upon the future constitution of India, Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru said that it was perfectly natural that such a country as his, brought into contact with YVestern ideas, should seek freedom within its own borders as an integral part of the British Commonwealth. India wanted, and was determined to achieve, the status of equality with the other members of tile Commonwealth, which would give it a Government, not merely responsible to, but responsive to, the popular voice. He personally believed that it would not do to offer provincial autonomy, unless it were coupled with a decided and clear change in the constitution of the Central Government, which must be made responsible to the Legislature. He was a strong believer in the Federal form of Government, and believoa mat therein lay the salvation of India. He would welcome an association of the Indian States with British India.

them and British India could bo referred, and would voluntarily submit to its jurisdiction, the question in effect would be solved. He promised an assurance regarding British and European commercial interests. He pointed out that a contented community was a much bettor customer than a discontented one. He contended that the main interest of Britain in India was commerce, and said that the consuming power of 330,000.000 people was a powerful asset in their hands. Absolute Dominion freedom should be given India in order that Britain’s trade might prosper. Tho business committee of the conference decided to recommend that when tho general discussion finished the conference should set up a Federation relations committee. A resolution to this effect will be submitted to-morrow as a result of the decisions reached to-day. CHAIRMEN SET UP. Lord Sankey was asked to accept the position of deputy-president of the conference and a cartel of six chairmen of the conference was set up, embracing Lords Reading and Peel, the Maharajah of Bikaner, tho Nawab of Bhopal, the Aga Khan and Mr Sastri. It was agreed that the general discussion now proceeding should extend over tho mornings of three days, and that the order of speakers should bo prearranged. After a discussion revealing some division of opinion, the president said the general feeling was that the Press were not to bo admitted to the general discussion, but would have full and impartial information regarding the proceedings from three officers of the general secretariat, acting under tho general control committee consisting of Captain “Wedgwood Benn, representing the British delegation, Mr Rushbrook Williams, representing tho Indian States, and Mr Chintamani, representing tho Britisli-Indian delegation.

Referring to commerce, he said that Europeans were quite welcome to suggest any safeguards for their rights and interests, and tho Indians would most willingly meet them. Regarding the army, they realised that they had to train a sufficient number of their own men, which would require patience. Wlrat they, required was tho opportunity to train them, and freedom to establish institutions. “So far as your army is concerned, by all means keep it in tho hands of the Viceroy,” the speaker added. “We on our part are willing to provide funds and agree to statutory charges in respect of the army.” Tho Maharajah of Bikaner said that the ultimate attainment of Dominion status was inherent in the declaration policy of 1917, and had more recently received authoritative endorsement. Let them aim at that. He said that linked with the devotion of the Indian States to the Crown was unfaltering adherence to the British Commonwealth of Nations. They of the Indian States were willing to take part in and make their contributions to tho greater prosperity and contentment of India as a whole. That could best be done through the Federal system of Government, composed of tho States and British India. THE YOUNGER GENERATION. Mr Jayakar, putting forward tho point of view of the younger generation in Lidia, said that it was a time of utmost importance, because if India got to-day what she wanted she would be satisfied with many things which would not satisfy, her six months hence. “If you give India Dominion status to-day, in the course of a few months the cry for independence will die of itself,” he said. “If on the it will be the surest way of causing in it will be tho surest way causing in volume and intensity this cry for independence.” Referring to the army question, he said that the Indians would listen to any safeguards suggested during the period of transition in order to make it more easy and safe for both sides. As for the minorities question, it could be solved by giving opportunities of common endeavour to the Indians. That feeling could be created only by giving India complete freedom in tli® form of Dominion status. Harness all the minorities together and much of the discontentment would _ disappear. Young India would not insist upon impossible terms of federation, but only upon such terms as most of the Indian States at present were prepared to accept. . , They had no desire to interfere at all in the internal affairs of the Indian States, but were prepared to wait until they themselves came into line with the ways of Young India. If the States would accept Supreme Court justice, to which all matters in dispute between

THE FEELING IN INDIA. Tho weekly report by tho Government of Incfia on the internal situation states that it is too early yet to estimate the attitude of the Indian public opinion towards tlio Government of India’s despatch on reforms, but, whatever that attitude may be, there is no doubt that tho Round Table Conference is attracting great interest in India and is directing a good deal of public attention towards the constructive methods of obtaining a solution of constitutional problems. THE INDIAN PRINCES. LONDON, Nov. 17. The Daily Telegraph says that the Indian Princes’ deputation met the British India representatives at the Carlton Hotel yesterday and detailed the terms whereon they were prepared to enter the All-India Federation if an agreement acceptable to all parties was reached. The conditions are : (1) The Viceroy remains as the King’s representative. (2) All dynastic questions affecting the Princes’ succession, marriage and powers within tlieir States, etc., shall be left exclusively to themselves, the Federal Government having no authority. (3) They shall have a fair share in all State services common to British India and tho Indian States, such as railways, canak, irrigation and customs. (4) The army remains under the Viceroy, who may employ State troops when necessary. (5) The existing treaties to remain, and shall not be changed into fresh agreements with the All-India Government.

(6) Disciplinary authority shall be exercised iu certain eases by the Viceroy. Such cases as misrule shall be left to the Council of Princes. It is also understood that the Princes will seek powerful representation in the Second Chamber. The only Prince opposed to entering the All India Federation is tho Nizam of Hiderabad. Moreover, the Hindu leaders have agreed to recognise the north frontier, the west province and the Punjab as predominantly Moslem and agree to the separation of Sind from Bombay. The Moslem demand for a 33 per cent representation in the Central Legislature was not agreed to. The question of the equitable representation of Hindus and Moslems in the Public Services is left to a Public Services Commission such as exists in the Irish Free State.