INDIA’S WAR EFFORT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 198, 23 July 1941, Page 8

INDIA’S WAR EFFORT

GREATER VOICE FOR PEOPLE. (United Press Association —Copyright (Ree. 11.55 a.m.) RUGBY, July 2: ) 1 Important administrative change !. designed to increase the efficiency c the Indian war effort and associat Indian public opinion more closely wit the defence of the country have bee announced by the Governor-Genera As a result of the increased pressur of work in connection with the wa it lias been decided to enlarge tb Executive Council by the addition o fivejiew posts, thus giving the Vicero, - a War Cabinet with a marked majorit; - of Indian public men instead of tli - former European and official majority The King has approved the iollow - ing appointments to the five new seat - on the council: Supply, Sir Hormusj ■ Alody. Information, Sir Akbar Hydari ■ Civil Defence, Mr Raghavendra Ras Labour, Air Malik. Air, Air Firozkhtu Noon. Indians Overseas, Air Aladha: • Sbrihari Alley. It may be noted tha ■ Air Aney, last November,- led the Con gross Party in opposition to the Sup plementary War Budget. Other lien appointments are Sir Syed Sultar Ahmed as Law Alcmber, Air Nalin Itanjan Sarkar as Afeinbcr for Education, Health, and Lands, filling tin vacancies caused by the recent appointment to other posts of Sit Aiuhanimad Zafrullah Khan and Sii Oirja Shankar Bajpai (Agent-General in the United States). Secondly, His Alajesty’s Government, in pursuance of its desire to associate Indian non-official opinion as fully as possible with the prosecution ot the war, has approved the Viceroy’s recommendation for the establishment of a National Defence Council, the first meeting of which will be held next month; The council, about 30 members strong, will include representatives of the Indian States, provinces, and other elements of national lile. It was emphasised by the Secretary for India (Air Amery) speaking in Lon-don-that flic changes are not concerned with the constitutional future of India where progress is at present impossible, but arc purely to increase the administrative efficiency during the war and tap the vast reservoir of hitherto unused ability despite the refusal of the Congress Party and the Moslem League to co-operate. The creation of the Defence Council associates with India’s war effort representatives of all the influential seo- ; tions of tlio community and answers an insistent demand which the Vice-: roy felt should not be indefinitely refused just because of the intransigence of tlio party leaders. Alembers are invited bv the Viceroy, but are mostlychosen representatives of the various communities and interests. The council . includes the Premiers of the four provinces where lyovincial autonomy, is still functioning. WIDE REPRESENTATION. Women are represented by tlio Begum of Shah Mawaz, and other interests represented by jiersons of standing and independence are commerce, labour, the army, Parsees, scheduled cases (depressed classes). Indian Christians, and Anglo-Indians.’ The council, which is advisory, will meet at intervals in secret to receive confidential information on the war position and act as a valuable liaison between the provincial war effort and the- centra] authorities. Satisfaction is expressed at the public spirit of the Indians who have thus come forward, as well as confidence that the effect of these steps will be far-reaching and cannot but influence future political developments in India by the infusion of a spirit of practical co-operation between all classes for the common purpose.

“1 cannot help hoping that in the eoursb of working together, whether on the Executive Council or on the National Defence Council, in tho common interests all the parties representative of tin*, new move of the Viceroy will be drawn more closely together and will find points of mutual understanding sympathy which may immensely facilitate the solution of these very difficult intcr-communal and inter-partv problems which to-ilav aro the main obstacle to India’s attainment of her rightful position as a free anil equal member of the British Commonwealth.” Air Amery said. Air Gandhi said: “It docs not affect tho stand taken bv Congress and fails to meet the Congress demands.” A Bombay message says the changes are given a mixed reception by party leaders and tho Press. Air Savarkak (president of the All-India Hindu Movement) welcomes the step. On the contrary. Mr Jinnah (president of the .Moslem League) says the changes arc deeply regretted and will not secure the whole-hearted and genuine support ot Aloslcms.—Official Wireless.