MODERATE INDIANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20621, 21 July 1930, Page 9

MODERATE INDIANS.

INTERVIEW WITH GANDHI. WARNING BY FINANCIER. GRAVE ECONOMIC POSITION. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received July 20, 5.15 p.m.) DELHI, July 10. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and Mr. Jayakar, two Indian moderate loaders, asked permission to havo private interviews with Gandhi, Pandit Motilal Nehru and Pandit Jawaharl Nehru, who arc now in gaol, with a view to endeavouring to niako thorn see reason and call off the civil disobedience movement. They said they would emphasise that tliev alone were responsible for the overtures and would not commit the Government in any way. They alone would be responsible if Gandhi and his friends remained intractable. The Viceroy, Lord Irwin, gave the necessary permission. Encouragement of the truth is all that moderate Indians and many members of the Indian National Congress desire. They say they are appalled at the economic losses the country will suifer if fhe present state of affairs continues. Sir George Schuster, finance member ol the Government of India, says the drop in the customs revenue ior the quarter ended June 30 was very considerable. Addressing the All-India Legislative Assembly at Simla Sir George said that if the recent disturbances had not been started Bombay at least would have been enjoving a boom this summer. With tho new protective duties tho cotton mills would have been prosperous and the Government, with a low borrowing programme, would have encouraged confidence in national securities.

The Indian princes, in a statement, say they think that tho future evolution of India can only be on federal lines, and that a system designed to safeguard their rights of internal autonomy would be tho most, satisfactory solution of India's troubles.

They express confidence in the Viceroy, Lord Irwin, who perseveres in his attempt to serve the best interests of India and Britain.