Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1934 INDIA’S POLITICAL FUTURE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 17 May 1934, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1934 INDIA’S POLITICAL FUTURE

YESTERDAY, reference was made in this column to the British Government’s India policy, because there is a possibility that it may cause such differences in tlie Conservative Party as may seriously affect its chances of success at the general election which will take place, in the ordinary course of events, within two years’ time. There has come to hand a report of a meeting of the Central Council of the British Conservative Party, which shows clearly that there is a wide awakening to the dangers which may result if the policy outlined in the White Paper is earned into effect. At the meeting in question a motion was tabled containing the following declaration, namely that: This meeting affirms the right and duty of the Conservative and Unionist Party to consider and discuss the Indian problem in all its bearings at any meeting which its duly constituted

bodies may desire. That seems an innocent enough resolution, yet it was vigorously opposed by the Party managers who had taken steps to assemble all known supporters of the Government’s White Paper policy,’ and it was reported that Conservative Ministers hastily abandoned a meeting of the Cabinet, in order to discuss and defeat the resolution. The delegates were assembled to discuss the Government's India policy, but they were really voting for the right of free speech at their meetings. The particular meeting in question had been convened to discuss a notice of motion which had been tabled for the purpose of preventing the Party discussing any further resolutions on the India question, but those opposed to such an arbitrary course of action framed and discussed the amendment, part of which has been quoted above, and were able to place on record their reasons for opposing the Government’s India policy. Among those who opposed the “muzzling motion” which would prevent the Party from again discussing the Government’s policy in relation to India, was Lord Fitzalan, who referred to a speech made by Mr Baldwin, nearly a year ago, at a similar meeting of the Party, when the Conservative leader told the members assembled that they were “as free as the air to do what they liked.” “Why, therefore,” said Lord Fitzalan, “should we not say what we like about the White Paper proposals?”

There was no doubt about the cleverness of the resolution supporting the proposal that in future the Party should not discuss the Government’s policy in respect of India, for thereby not only was criticism of that policy silenced, but many of the weaknesses of the White Paper would not be disclosed or criticised. Mr Winston Churchill pointed out that when the next general election is held in Great Britain, in Jess than a couple of years, the Party will he engaged “in a great struggle with the subversive forces of Socialism,” and he drew attention to the fact that the Socialist Party, tile Liberal Party, and the Government "were all moving in the same direction on the Indian question.” To prevent the members of the Central Council of tlie Conservative Party from discussing so important a matter as the future of India, meant that the Government’s policy in relation to that country could not lie further challenged. In a measure the “muzzling order” must create a certain cleavage in the Party, and tile Indian question, instead of being settled, will he liable to disunite the Party at the next general election. To prevent free discussion by delegates of

any great political party is not only damaging to the interests of that party, but is likely to reduce it to a state of distrust in its leaders. Nevertheless the resolution “that no further resolutions on the India question should be considered by the Party until the report of the Joint Select Committee (of Parliament) is published,” was carried, the amendment (which provided for free future discussion of (lie Indian problem) having been defeated by 419 votes to 314.

So it will bo seen that Mr Churchill and his friends will have to reserve their criticisms of the Government’s India policy till it is discussed in the House of Commons: the Central Council of the Conservative Party has muzzled itself in that particular. Of course it remains to he seen what the Joint Select Committee's report will he, but it is not to be expected that it will controvert the Government's declared policy in relation to India. The probability, therefore, is that an India Bill will be framed and passed by the existing Parliament. Thus tho British Government will have disposed of the Indian Question for the time being, but nevertheless it has thrown an apple of discord into the middle of the Conservative Party, which may well cause such differences as will he detrimental to that Party’s unity when the general election is held. It was expedient to get the Indian problem out of the way, but surely not by passing a resolution (proposed by a Conservative member of Parliament and supported by Conservative Ministers) the direct object and effect of which is to prevent in a most peremptory manner the Conservative Party’s Central Council from discussing the all-important question of India’s political future.