INDIA'S PROBLEMS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 225, 22 August 1945, Page 5

INDIA'S PROBLEMS

INVITATION TO VICEROY.

(Rec. 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 21. The Secretary for India (Lord Pethick Lawrence) announced in the House of Lords that the Viceroy (Lord Wavell) would he coining to Britain soon at the Minister's invitation for consultations on all India's problems. He added that if Lord Wavell's counsel was to he utilised to the fullest .direct personal contact was essential.

In New Delhi it is officially announced that general elections for the Central and Provincial Legislatures will bo held throughout India as soon as possible.

The Governtnent is considering carefully the treatment which will be given to Indian soldiers who joined Chandra Bose's army and fought for the Japanese against the British. It was announced that the cases of these men were being examined quickly and as sympathetically as possible and it was hoped to make a policy announcement shortly. Mr Nehru, a Congress Party leader, in a speech, appealed lor broader considerations in dealing with the men than for ordinary rebels. He said the punishment given to them would be, in effect, a punishment for all India and a deep wound would be created in millions of hearts. There was no com munak; question as Bose's army com prised Hindus, Moslems and Sikhs, who were undoubtedly misguided and failed to appreciate the large consequences of their association with the Japanese. It would be a tragedy if they were liquidated.