FATE OF REPORT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 307, 24 November 1934, Page 7

FATE OF REPORT

ON INDIAN REFORMS. BILL ASSURED OF MAJORITY. OPINIONS IN BRITAIN. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received November 24, 11.30 a.m. RUGBY, Nov. 23. The general impression in Parliamentary circles created by tiie Joint Committee’s report on Indian constitutional reform is such that the Times expresses the view that a Government Bill based on it is assured of an overwhelming majority in the House of Commons. Nevertheless, the opponents of the report have already begun their campaign against it and Lord Salisbury, one ot the Conservative dissentients on the Joint Committee, is being invited to move a resolution at a meeting ot the Central Council of the National Union and Conservative Associations when on December 4 the leader of the party, Mr Stanley Baldwin “takes counsel” with that body on the report. There were 31 members on the Joint Committee and nine voted against the report, five of these being Conservatives who felt it went too tar and four being Labour members who felt it did not go far enough. Mr Neville Chamberlain, in a speech at Birmingham, said that after three years with a three-party Government in power he did not think the oountry yet desired the combination to come to an end. Although in the nature of things it could only be transitory, the world condition was such that it could not afford to lose such stable Government. They had entered upon a session of outstanding importance in the history of the British Empire. Everyone was agreed that there must be an advance towards self government in India, but not such a complete system of self-government as to deprive her of the guidance and direction from this country, which had brought her out of the chaos to her present condition of peace and security. The differences which appeared in the Conservative Party on the subject were narrowed down to two things—how far they should go and how fast they should go. He thought that after consideration the great majority of the Conservative Party would be of one mind. Mr W. E. Elliot (Minister of Agriculture), in a speech at Glasgow, referring to the Indian report emphasised that its whole scheme of an All India Federation comprising autonomous provinces and Indian States was based, on the principle of responsibility with safeguards. That did not mean the safeguards were to bs normally and continuously in operation. They were there for use in emergency. Mr Elliot said he believed they would be fully effective in case of need, but he did not believe that the existence of proper safeguards should or ''’oolo prevent the steady development of selfgovernment by responsibly-minded Indians. NO DECISION YET. STATEMENT BY CHANCELLOR. Received November 24, 11.15 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 23. Mr Neville Chamberlain, addressing the Birmingham Conservatives, ap T pealed for unity on the Indian question. He added that the Government had not yet decided upon the proposals. but it was unlikely that they would regret or even change the recommendations supported by such a weight of authority RECEPTION BY BUSINESS MEN. , FAVOURABLE IMPRESSION. LONDON, Nov. 23. The Financial Times says that financial circles are favourably impressed with tiie Indian report, and regard it as taking the course appealing to those with big interests at stake who are also concerned with the lasting welfare of India. The Stock Exchange gave a favourable reception, and there was no marked effect on Indian securities. The report was well received by leaders of the Lancashire cotton industry.