Indian Princes and Bill

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 68, 22 March 1935, Page 7

Indian Princes and Bill

Criticisms Believed to be Adjustable

SIR SAMUEL HO ARE’S ANALYSIS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 20. The attitude of the Indian princes towards the Government of India Bill was discussed in the House of Commons in the light of the Whito Paper published on Tuesday last, in which the criticisms of tho princes and tlic Secretary for India’s comments thereon wore set out. Formidable us those criticisms might look at first sight, said Sir Samuel Hoarc, they were believed to be adjustable, and in support of this he cited the opinion expressed in correspondence by the princes themselves that “it is still not beyond the sphere of statesmanship to adjust our dilferences in such a manner as would lead to a satisfactory and desired result.” Tho documents reproduced iu the White Paper showed that there were about 30 points upon which the princes felt a doubt, about one-third being due simply to misunderstanding. Of tho other two-thirds the great majority were points where the drafting could bo readjusted without any sacrifice of any substantial' principle in the Bill. All except two points ought to be capable of comparatively easy adjustment. Sir Samuel Hoarc said ho had always admitted that the accession of the princes into the Federation was difficult and complicated. His advisers, however, had been in close consultation with tho legal advisers of the Indian States. The latter, of course, could not bind tho princes iu any way, but the views of both parties had been discussed in detail and the discussion had not revealed any differences which appeared to be incapable of adjustment.

Regarding the misunderstanding on the question of paramountcy, it was not the case that the Bill could not be proceeded with until the princes’claim on this subject were settled. The princes were not being asked there and now to accede. Parliament was passing the best Bill it could, and \\as taking into account as fully as possible all the various interests British and Indian, those of the Indian States, and those of Britain and the Empire. The princes had always claimed that they could give no final answer as to tlicir accession until the Bill was on tho Statute Book. If they acceded there would be a Federation; if not, there would be no Federation.

So far from worsening the princes’ position in regard to paramountcy, however, the Bill would make it better but that question was one that, must be dealt with in the normal waj in India. It affected all the princes, whether they federated or not, and whether the Bill' was passed or not. But if British India was ever to achieve its full status in the . British Empire an All-India Federation was essential to Indian India, with the princes for all time having that share in the government of the continent, to which they were entitled. Sir Samuel said lie believed the differences at issue could be honourably adjusted in full' harmony with the interests on both sides.