FUTURE OF INDIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20402, 2 November 1929, Page 13

FUTURE OF INDIA.

STATUS AS DOMINION. CONSULTATION WITH STATES. VICEROY ISSUES STATEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. British Wireless. RUGBY. Oct. 31. The Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin, has issued a statement, which was published in India to-day, regarding the extension of the scope of the inquiry by the Indian Commission to include relations between British India and the Indian States. In this he says that Sir John Simon, chairman of the commission, has pointed out in correspondence with tlie Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, that he and his colleagues have been greatly impressed. in considering the future constitutional development of India, with the importance of bearing in mind the relations which may develop between British India and the Indim States, and that in Sir John's judgment it is essential that methods whereby this future relationship between these two constituent parts of Greater India may be adjusted should be fully examined. Sir John has suggested that after the commission and the Indian Central Committee have made their reports the British Government' should meet representatives both of British India and the Indian States, for the purpose of seeking the greatest possible measure of agreement for the final proposals which the British Government will later submit to Parliament. Lord Irwin proceeds: " With these views I understand that the British Government is in complete accord. The goal of the British policy was stated in the declaration of August, 1917, to be that of providing for the gradual development of self-governing institutions with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible Government in India as an integral part of the British Empire. Equality Wish Dominions. "My own instrument of instructions from the King-Emperor expressly states that it is His Majesty's will and pleasure that the plans laid by Parliament in 1919 should be the means whereby British India may attain its due place among his Dominions. " Ministers of the Crown, moreover, have more than once publicly declared that it is the desire of the British Government that India should, in the fullness of time, take her place in the Empire in equal partnership with the Dominions.

"In view of the doubts, however, which have been expressed both in Britain and in India regarding the interpretation to be placed on the intentions of the British Government in enacting the statute of 1919, I am authorised, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, to state clearly that in its judgment it is implicit in the declaration of 1917 that the natural issue of India's constitutional progress, as there contemplated, is the attainment of Dominion status. " For the full realisation of this policy it is evidently important that Fhe Indian States should be afforded an opportunity of finding their place, and even if we cannot, at present exactly foresee on what lines this development may be shaped, it is from every point of view desirable that whatever can be done should be done to ensure that the action being taken now is not inconsistent with the attainment of the ultimate purpose which those in British India or the Indian States, who look to the unity of'all India, have in view. < " The Government considers that both these projects, namely, that of finding the best approach to the British Indian side of the problem and, secondly, of ensuring that in this process the wider question of closer relations in future between the two parts of Greater India shall not be overlooked, can best be achieved by the adoption of a procedure such as Sir John Simon has outlined. Indian Opinion to be Sought. " When, therefore, the commission and the Indian Central Committee have submitted their reports, and these have been published, and when the Government has been able, in consultation with the Government of India, to consider these matters in the light of all the material then available, it will propose to invite representatives of the different parties and interests in British India and representatives of the Indian States to meet them, separately or together, as the circumstances may demand, for the purpose of conference and discussion in regard both to British Indian and all Indian problems. "It will be its earnest hope that by this means it may subsequently prove possible, on these grave issues, to submit proposals to Parliament which may command a wide measure of general assent." COMMONS EXCITED. OPPOSITION DISAPPROVAL. MESSAGE THOUGHT. PREMATURE. (Received November 1. 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 81. The members of the House of Commons are excitedly discussing in the lobbies the position of the Indian Commission, in view of Lord Irwin's statement regarding the future status of India. It is generally believed that Sir John Simon disapproves of the declaration s preceding the commission's report. Conservative and Liberal leaders similarly disapprove of the Government's action. Mr. Lloyd George has given notice of an urgent question. He will ask to-mor-row in the House of Commons whether the commission has been consulted regarding the status of India; whether the commission concurred ; and whether a passage in the Viceroy's statement indicates the policy of previous Governments, either in substance or in point of time. Mr George Lansbury, the First Commissioner of Works, and a member of the Cabinet, as chairman of the British Committee on Indian Affairs, has forwarded a message to the people of India, sending love and congratulations. He says: "This is a great day in the history of India. I especially rejoice with Gandhi and Mrs. Annie Besant regarding the Government's decision for a round-tabie conference, coupled with the unequivocal declaration that the policy of Britain remains the same, namely, ultimately establishing India as an equal partner m the British Commonwealth of Nations, with full Dominion status, for which the committee has fought for 14 years. Mr. Lansbury appeals to his Indian comrades and friends to take the declaration at its face value. He adds that there is no shadow of disagreement among the" highest authorities, either in Britain or in India, regarding India's right to telf government*