INDIA’S FUTURE

Northern Advocate, 17 August 1931, Page 5

INDIA’S FUTURE

ROUND-TABLE conference REFUSAL TO ATTEND. DEMANDS MUST BE GRANTED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received 9 a.m.) DELHI, August 16. The reasons why the delegates for the India National Congress have refused to attend the London RoundTable Conference include the Government's refusal to agree with Mr Gandhi’s demands, which were as follow. — (1) A board of arbitration to watch the implementing of the Delhi Agreement by both sides, particularly with regard to the collection of land revo7i uc in Gnjerat. (2) A local board of inquiry to decide on action in the matter of picketing. (3) That the collection of land revenue should be dependent on the advice of Congress. The Viceroy, Viscount Willingdon, has made a final appeal to the Congress to send delegates to the conference, .as the best way of obtaining a real and last solution of the present difficulties. Mr Gandhi, in an interview, said that if the conference did not grant the demands of the Congress civil disobedience would be resumed on a more intensive scale.

MORE AMENABLE. RESPONSE TO VICEROY. WILL HONOUR PACT. (Received 10,30 a.m.) CALCUTTA, August 16. An indication that the All-India National Congress is prepared to abandon its impossible position and allow Gandhi to go to London after all, is, contained in the news that Gandhi is willing to waive his demand that the arbitration tribunal should deal with the alleged breaches of the Delhi Pact in favour of one official, preferably a

judge. The disappointment that was lelt generally at Gandhi V decision not to attend the Round-Table Conference was expressed by the Viceroy in his tele': gram to Gandhi on Friday, in which he said: “I could have hoped that you would not allow disputes over the present details to prevent your serving India by participating in this momentous discussion on the future Oohstitution, which may determine tjie destiny of India beyond your time and mine. ’ ’

Before leaving Bombay last night, Gandhi wrote a personal letter to the Viceroy explaining the implications of the resolution regarding the withdrawal of Congress from the conference. He made it clear that Congress would continue to honour the Delhi Pact.”