Indian Independence Bill Presented To Commons

Northern Advocate, 5 July 1947, Page 7

Indian Independence Bill Presented To Commons

(Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, July 4. THE Indian Independence Bill, which was presented in the House of Commons today, provides that from August 15 _ two independent dominions, known as India and Pakistan, will be established in India. Pakistan includes all territories in the provinces of East Bengal and West Punjab.

The Province of Bengal, as constituted under the Government of India Act, 1935, ceases to exist. Instead there will be constituted two new provinces, which will be called East Bengal and West Bengal. The present Punjab province will cease to exist, and there will be two new provinces, West Punjab and East Punjab. The boundaries of the new provinces may be determined by boundary commissions appointed by the Governor General.

in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, it, too, will form part. The bill says that nothing in the section defining the two. Dominions shall prevent any area at any time from being included in or excluded from either Dominion. PRINCELY STATES FREE

No area not specified will be included in either Dominion without that Dominion’s consent and no area forming part of specified territories will be excluded from a Dominion without that Dominion’s consent.

His Majesty will appoint a Governor General for each new Dominion.

The bill provides that the suzerainty of the King over the Princely States lapses on August 15, the date of the transfer of power. Reuters political correspondent says this means that the states gain complete freedom and that the bill reaffirms the British attitude .that they must be free to decide what they want to do. ‘EMPEROR’ DISAPPEARS

Unless the legislature of either of the two Dominions provides to the contrary, the same person may be Governor General of both new Dominians. POWER TO MAKE LAW'S Each new Dominion’s legislature will have full power to make laws, including laws having extraterritorial operation. No law and no provision of any law made by the new Dominions will be void or inoperative on the ground that it is repungant to the law of England. No act' of Parliament of the United Kingdom, passed on or after the day of partition, will have effect in the new Dominions.

It was expected that one Dominion would be called Hindustan, Reuters says, but the name India Was more acceptable to the Indian people. . His Majesty’s title will have to be changed to “King of . India and King of Pakistan.”' '

The word “Emperor” disappears. Under the Statute of Westhiirister His Majesty’s title cannot be altered without the consent of all members of the Commonwealth, who each have to legislate on the subject, but it is understood at Whitehall that no objections are likely in any Dominion. Sir Cyril Radcliffe, K.C., leader of the English bar, has been appointed chairman of the two boundary commissions for the Punjab and Bengal. “TIDY LITTLE BILL” “A nice tidy little bill,” was the description Lord Listowell, Secretary of State for India, gave the India Bill at a Press conference tonight.

By the bill the assent of Parliament will be given for the omission from the Royal Titles of the words “India Imperator” and “Emperor of India.” DIVISION OF FORCES The Governor General shall make such provisions as appear necessary or expedient for bringing the provisions of the act into effective operation. These powers are effective from June 3 last.

Orders to be made by the Governor General will provide for the division of the armed forces between the new Dominions, and for command of the forces until division is completed. The Governor-General of each new Dominion will have power to assent; in His Majesty's name, to any law of the legislature of the Dominion. The bill defines the new Dominion of India as the territories under the sovereignty of His Majesty, which, before partition, were included in British India, except the territories which will be Pakistan. PAKISTAN TERRITORIES Territories also to be included in Pakistan are all those which, at the passing of the act, are included in the province of Sind and the Chief Commissioner's province of British Baluchistan. If the Governor General declares that the majority of votes cast are in favour of representatives of the NorthWest Frontier province participating

He added : “Never before has such a large portion of the world’s population achieved complete independence through legislation alone.” Referring to the Hindus’ choice of the name India, Lord Listowell said it had certain practical advantages as the name had been used in treaties and international documents. Retention of the name would make it easier for the Dominion to continue as a member of the United Nations. There would be no difference in the status of the two Dominions as Pakistan could also become a member of the United Nations. Lord Listowell expressed the hope than Travancore and Hyderabad would join one of the constituent assemblies. He added that Afghanistan had no right to interfere in the rights of the North-West Frontier Province. Portuguese and French territories in India would have to make their own arrangements. • ■ j