INDIAN RULERS' POSITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20599, 25 June 1930, Page 11

INDIAN RULERS' POSITION.

NEED FOR SAFEGUARDING. WIDELY DIFFERING UNITS. TASK TO BRING TOGETHER. RETENTION OF AUTONOMY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. British Wireless. RUGBY, June 23. " The Indian rulers are naturally proud of their historic position, and their rights have been repeatedly acknowledged," says the report of the Indian Statutory Commission. "At tho same time they recogniso more and more tho need for adjusting their future relationship to the rest of India. Tho Commissioners believe that they will bo ready to come into the larger whole only when they can see that their rights and position will bo safeguarded. " If the principle they havo laid down is valid, it inevitably follows that the ultimate constitution of India must be federal, for it is only in federal constitution that units differing so widely in constitution as the provinces and the States can be brought together while yet retaining their internal autonomy. Possibility of Two Federations. " It might be possible to visualise the future of federation in India as tho bringing into relationship of two separate federations, ono comprised of the elements which make up British India and the other of the Indian States." Evidence from the rulers of the Indian States has not yet been received, however, and this is recognised as one of the matters which may be discussed when the proposed conference takes place. Whatever may be the ultimate decision the commission believes that a reorganisation of British India on a federal basis will prepare the way for it. Apart altogether from any such question, there are very strong reasons for tho reconstruction of the Jndian constitution on a federal basis. The Commissioners state that it is only in a federal structure that sufficient elasticity can be obtained for a union of elements of diverse internal constitutions, and of communities at very different stages of development and culture. By reason of their geographical situation and of their ethnological composition, certain areas in India have not been brought under the Montagu-Chelrnsford reforms.

Separation of Burma from India. As to the units of federation in British India, the commissioners do not regard the provinces as in any way ideal areas for self-government and they recommend reviewing and resettling tho boundaries as early as possible. While the provinces exist, however, they form the basis on which the federal structure must be built. Besides the Governors' provinces there are those areas to which reforms have not yet been allowed and these will find their place in tho federation.Tho commissioners, however, think that Burma, which is to-day an integral part of British India, should be definitely excluded from the new policy. Its inclusion in India is a historical accident and when an endeavour is being mado to lay down broad lines of advance toward the ultimate goal, the opportunity should bo taken to break a union which does not rest on common interests.

Scope of Suggested Changes. The development scheme recommended by the commissioners aims at giving the maximum of provincial autonomy consistent with the common interest of India as a whole. This means tiio abolition of dyarchy, for it was of the essence of this system that while certain departments wero transferred to tho control of Ministers, the reserved side of the administration was still carried on under the superintendence, direction and control of tho central Government. Each province should be as far as possible mistress ill her own house. Thus independent life will be given to the provinces which will form the nucleus of tho new structure. It is proposed that in future the progress of theso great areas should bo entrusted to a unitary government, responsible to legislatures elected on an extended franchise. Tho scope of tho suggested changes is explained iu Part 11. of tho report. Larger Legislative Councils, with from 200 to 250 members in the more important provinces, aro proposed. In the absence of an agreed Moslem-Hindu solution, continuance of tho separate communal electorates is assumed. Some reservation of seats for tho depressed classes is recommended. Tho report goes on to discuss the mattor of representation on Provincial Councils, the structure of Provincial Legislatures an extended franchise plan, the Parliamentary system generally, and means for securing tho end of federation, and other matters. Its recommendations are accompanied by detailed suggestions as to methods of carrying them ouU