CONFERENCE ON INDIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20740, 6 December 1930, Page 13

CONFERENCE ON INDIA.

GOOD PROGRESS REPORTED.

SPIRIT OF GOODWILL.

STATUS OF PROVINCES.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless. RUGBY, Dec. 4.

As a result of its discussion the Federal Structure .Sub-committee of the Indian Round-table Conference has decided to add provisionally the two important subjects of railways and maritime customs to the list of subjects which may tentatively be considered of common concern as between British India and the Indian States.

The businesslike manner in which this committee is handling its task has stimulated a spirit of optimism in conference circles. It is understood that in its discussions there has been a complete absence of attempts to make mere debating points, and that there has been a genuine and unanimous desire to help forword the work entrusted to the committee. Series of Concrete Questions. The same spirit has shown itself in the provincial constitutional sub-commit-tee, which, under the chairmanship of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. A. Henderson, held its first meeting to-day. Following the example set by Lord Sankey's committee, it engaged in a general discussion, from which a series of concrete questions was formulated, which will be taken as the basis of future procedure. Among these questions was the following : Is it impracticable to abolish the distinction between reserved and transferred subjects? Reserved questions in the provinces are those which have rested in the hands of the Government of India, and transferred subjects those which are placed under the control of the provincial authorities. A further question formulated is: What, if any, provisions are necessary to safeguard, first, the administration of law and order, and, secondly, the rights of minorities or any other interests? Position of Minorities. Although a special committee has. been set up to deal with the minorities question, the position of the minorities in any provincial constitution must of necessity be considered by this committee, which in future will doubtless join forces as occasion requires with the Minorities Committee.

Other questions propounded are: Should all special powers be exercised by the Governor, or should some be exercised by the executive as a whole? Where should the Governor obtain advice necessary for the exercise of his special powers? Should any provision be made for the event of a breakdown in the normal constitution, and, if so, what emergency powers should be given, (1) to the Governors, (2) to the executive? (3) What conditions should be requisite for the exercise of this power? (4) Under what safeguards should they be exercised?

The committee charged with considering the conditions to enable Burma to be separated from India will hold its first meeting to-morrow, and it is probable that Earl Russell will be chairman.