NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17008, 15 November 1918, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

TWO PARTIES IN INDIA.

The difficulties which surround the proposals for the reform of the constitution of India are described by a correspondent of the Times. Two parties, he states, dominato the discussion. The Moderates frankly and cordially accept the reform scheme as providing a fair working basis, though they naturally desire certain amendments. Whilst outwardly rejjudiating the rejection of the scheme, the Extremists qualify their acceptance by conditions which alter its character beyond recognition. Their attitude is dictated by the belief that if sufficiently obstructive they will succeed in forcing further changes in tho constitution of tho Government of India. Also, if they obstruct the passage of the scheme, thoy will secure better terms, if necessary, at the Peace Conference. The only remedy for this situation is for Parliament resolutely and expeditiously to proceed with its scheme for the development of tho Indian Constitution so as to substitute some real responsibility for the unfettered criticism which is the bane of Indian public life. For the present the situation is not free from progressive dangers. While the Moderates have almost a monopoly of talents and experience in publio service, tho Extremists have captured the young and enthusiastic. Their facile propaganda in the towns and villages meets with little effective antidote. The longer some measure of responsibility is delayed the more irrational Indian politics become.

POLITICS IN LUXEMBURG. After having been under the domination of Germany for the period of the war the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg again resumes independent existence under the armistice terms. During the present year Luxemburg has been passing through a political crisis which has doubtless added amusement as well as much opportunity for intrigue to the German occupation. A demand for revision of the Constitution and for universal suffrage seems to have come first from the political Right. The Left concentrated upon two demands—the adoption in the Constitution of the principle that all powers emanate from the nation, and the insertion of a veto upon the conclusion of secret treaties by the Grand Duche6s. The Grand Duchess opposed any diminution of her monarchical powers, and relied upon a family pact of the House of Nassau, which dates from the year 1783, when Luxemburg was not even a State. The lawyers opposed any proclamation of the sovereignty of the people, on the ground that Luxemburg was not created by the will of the people, but by the will of the European Powers. Tho Chamber, however, twice voted for both reforms. After the first vote the Kauffmann Ministry resigned, but was reinstated and refused to appear In the Chamber. After the second vote, the Grand Duchess professed to accept revision, but upon condition that there should be no diminution of tho monarchical principle, and that the neutrality of the Grand Duchy should be declared unalterable. The Chamber was dissolved, and elections took place in the last days of July and the last days of August. The Left played a trump card by disclosing the fact that the Grand Duchess had concluded two secret treaties with the Germans—the one authorising the transport of food to Germany, and the other giving the Germans jurisdiction over Luxemburg subjects. The Right replied by accusing the Liberals of their interest in the metal industry, which was supplying munitions of war to Germany. But the main point ia that the only useful electoral arguments wore anti-German. Of the 53 seata in the Chamber, the Right secured 23, and also has the support of two "Independent" deputies. The Left hold 28 seats—l2 Socialist, eight Liberal, and eight Independent,