DEFENCE OF INDIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21359, 7 December 1932, Page 11

DEFENCE OF INDIA

CONFERENCE DISCUSSION FUTURE OF THE ARMY DELEGATES EXPRESS VIEWS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received December C. 5.5 p.m.) British 'Wireless RUGBY, Dec. 5 The India Round Table Conference today discussed defence questions. On the British-Indian and Liberal side general agreement was expressed with the view ! that nothing should be done that would I tend to imperil the safety of India. It | was urged that a definite programme pro- ! viding for the Indianisation of the whole j of the Indian Army within a specified | period should be drawn up by tho British j Government. j On behalf of the British Conservatives | it was said regarding the Indianisation jof tlie army that the main object must | be efficiency and fitness for war. A defined programme of Indianisation would be impracticablo if not impossible. The British Liberal delegates stated that they appreciated the desira to go quickly and as far as possible with Indianisation, but said it would be impossible to lay down any rule or policy. Therefore, the progress with an Indian Sandhurst must remain with the Gover-nor-General. FINE OF £7OOO j CHITTAGONG INHABITANTS j TERRORISTS SHIELDED j J (Received December 6, 5.35 p.m.) CALCUTTA, Dec. 5 A fne of £7OOO has been levied on the Chittagong inhabitants for their failure to assist the authorities in capturing the terrorists concerned in recent outrages. The fine is to be realised immediately. GANDHI'S BEIEF FAST SACRIFICE FOR COMRADE HIS OWN WAY GAINED CALCUTTA. Dec. 5 Thi? fast wlrch fhe Indian Nationalist leader, Gandhi, began in gaol on Saturday was suspended to-day. Gandhi decided to cease eating because Fatiwardhan, a political prisoner, had put himself on the lowest diet consistent with bare existence because he was not allowed out of prison to assist in the campaign on behalf of the "untouchables."

Gandhi stated that the question arose whether he should allow a dear comrade to die while he himself lived comfortably, or whether, in an attempt to save the life of his comrade, he should put his own in peril. As usual Gandlii got his own way and the Inspector-General of Prisons is now conferring with the Government regarding the release of Patiwardhan. On the reply depends whether or not Gandhi will resume his fast.

Gandhi, who is in the Ycravda Gaol, recently reiterated his intention of undertaking another fast on January 2 unless by "hat time the Hindu temple at Gtiruvayar, in Madras, is opened to the "untouchables."