Four Main Objectives

Northern Advocate, 4 June 1947, Page 5

Four Main Objectives

Addressing himself to the Services, who “are obviously not uninfluenced by the great events taking place,” Bakiev Singh said they should not allow themselves to be needlessly perturbed.

Their interests would, in no circumstances, be allowed to suffer.

The Commander-in-Chief would broadcast in a few days a special message dealing with the problems “engaging their minds.”

At a Press conference following the Commons India announcement. Lord Listowel said the plan aimed at the achievement of four main objectives :

(1) Transfer of power at the earliest possible moment, well in advance of June, 1948, the date previously set; (2) Peaceful handing over, which would save India from anything like the anarchy which followed the end of the Mogul Empire; (3) Handing over to a Government or Governments truly representtaive of India’s people, and discountenancing coercion of any group; (4) Establishment, after self-gov-ernment is in force, of a long and firm

partnership with Britain, founded on many existing ties in the (Complementary requirements of matters such as defence.

Lord Listowel added that Britain had believed the Cabinet Mission Plan best for India and had made an unavailing last-minute attempt to secure its acceptance.

The disadvantages of partition would be more obvious after it occurred. It would be a matter for the new Dominions, if established, to decide whether to remain within the Commonwealth.

The British Commonwealth could contribute much more to world security if its member nations were not only European in origin but were cosmopolitan providing a link between Europe and Asia—a link more than ever necessary at a time when a new spirit of freedom and progress has begun among peoples of the Orient. “India enters the last stage of her long road to self-government, which has always been Britain’s aim, with best wishes that she may be spared the consequences of communal strife,” he added.