FUTURE OF INDIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 23 June 1943, Page 5

FUTURE OF INDIA

FAITH OF NEW VICEROY FULL SELF-GOVERNMENT PLEDGES TO BE FULFILLED (Rec. 10.25 a.m.) Rugby, June 22. “I am the sincere friend of India and am whole-heartedly in sympathy with her aspirations to political development and a firm believer in her future,” said Field-Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell, who is to succeed Lord Linlithgow as Viceroy. It was obvious that India’s progress must depend on the successful prosecution of the war. Sir Archibald Wavell commented that the complete fulfilment of her aspirations required the removal of the Japanese menace. ‘‘lndia is the vital supply base for the strategy of the United States, and the more fully and rapidly India can develop and extend the great effort she is already making the sooner will the shadow of the war pass from her and the earlier can be achieved the aim of full self-government. There is certainly no intention to set up anything in the shape of military rule or withdraw or weaken in any pledges and offers already made to India by the British Government.”

So much attention had been focussed on the problem of India’s political development that he thought there were many who did not realise how much had been done, was being done, and remained to be done in India’s social economic progress. That of course was mainly the work for the Indians themselves, but he hoped sympathy on his part would assist in furthering it. It was to the troops from India that he was largely indebted for such military successes as he had been able to win, and he would always have a warm spot in his heart for India’s fighting men. So too had his wife, who had done much work for soldiers’ welfare in India.

“I have confidence in India’s future, and hope men of wisdom and goodwill may be found to help her to the position in the world to which her history, the size of her population, her importance and traditions of industry and kindliness entitle her.”

The Secretary for India, Mr Amery, said there was a realisation that Mr Churchill and his colleagues had been most anxious to secure for India the very best man they could, and to find the man who could guide the great country with profound understanding in war, and at the same time find someone who had the personal gifts, wide outlook and human sympathy required in dealing with the great political problems which occupy India.—P.A.