INDIAN CONSTITUTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20454, 4 January 1930, Page 9

INDIAN CONSTITUTION.

CLAIM TO INDEPENDENCE.

DEMONSTRATIONS ARRANGED

ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright

LONDON, Jan. 2

A message from Delhi states that in spite of an order issued by the committee of the Indian National Congress at a meeting to-day calling for the withdrawal of members from the Assembly and Councils it is uncertain whether the mandate will be generally obeyed. January 26 has been fixed as Independence Day for the holding of demonstrations throughout India in support of the new policy of the congress. A British official wireless message says tho English newspapers comment upon the proceedings at the congress at Lahore which were concluded yesterday. The Times says:—

" The formal outcome of the hubbub at Lahore is that the three main propositions were carried, not without confusion, by the persuasive eloquence of Mr. Gandh'l.

Effects ot the Lahore Decisions. " In the first place the members of the congress party have rejected the offer of participation in a London conference and pronounced their goal to be the complete independence of India. " In the second place they are called upon to boycott the existing central and provincial Legislatures, to take no part in future elections and to resign such seats as they may hold at present.

" In the third place they authorised their committee, whenever it deems fit, to launch a programme of civil disobedience, including a general refusal to pay taxes. " Whether this platform is likely to strengthen them, even as an Indian political party, must be regarded as very questionable." Emergence of the Liberals.

One of the first results have been the emergence in force of the Liberals, who met at a simultaneous congress at Madras. They lost no time in welcoming the London conference and have recognised publicly the rights of the States in a greater united India. Also they have roundly deplored the turmoil in which the cry of independence must involve their country. The allegiance of this conference is certain to be declared more rapidly as the enthusiasms of the Lahore congress grow cooler and its quarrels and personal difficulties become more apparent.

" It is sufficient for the moment to note that the actual terms of Mr. Srinavasa Sastri's resolution carried at Madras calling for a Constitution based on Dominion status, subject to such safeguards and reservations as may be necessary. for the period of transition, are not after all incongruous in principle with the declared purposes of British statesmanship.

Adviised to Organise. " What really matters most is that for the first time there seems to be some prospect of an organised force emerging in Indian politics with a sense of realities and a determination to face them." The Manchester Guardian also expresses the view that the Lahore Congress, having decided to base its policy on emotions and ideals and to ignore ' facts, Indian moderates have a chance of regaining control of India's course. At Madras, says the paper, they were urged to take it by Mr. Sastri whom India respects more than any other statesman, hardly excepting Mr. Gandhi himself.

The Guardian urges the moderates, who have many distinguished leaders, to organise early with a policy likely to yield practical results by securing the co-opera-tion of the British Government.

Mr. Gandhi Urged to Reflect. The Daily Herald says: " Mr. Gandhi and his colleagues have made a singularly foolish blunder in committing the Lahore Congress to the futile policy of mere negation. The policy of the British Government and of the Government of India in the face of the resolution of the congress is clear. Nothing which has passed all Lahore calls for even the slightest change.

" The goal has been declared and the new spirit which Mr. Wedgwood Benn and Lord Irwin have brought into AngloIndian relations and int-o the methods ol: the government of India remains. Also the invitation to the Indian leaders stands.

" There will bo no deflection eitHer to the right or to the left. If, indeed, there are on the part of the more irresponsible elements outbreaks of violence or of defiance of the law they will bo dealt with firmly. But firmness in maintaining order will be accompanied by equal firmness in adhering to the policy of friendship, conciliation and of steady perseverance on the path to self-government." The Herald urges Mr. Gandhi to reflect before the decision to refuse to take part in achieving a new Constitution for India becomes irrevocable.