REFORM IN INDIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22045, 27 February 1935, Page 11

REFORM IN INDIA

ATTITUDE OF PRINCES M NEW SITUATION CREATED" (Received February 26, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 26 The Daily Mail asserts that the Princes' resolution has created a new situation /in the Government's India policy. The Ministers concerned with the passage of' the India Bill urgently met in the House of Commons to consider the position. The Daily Mail adds that the Princes' attitude has greatly shocked the Cabinet. The bill must now either be completely recast or dropped. On the contrary, the Bombay correspondent of the Times emphasises that the resolution does not mean that the Princes will not co-operate in the Federal scheme. They merely adhere to the position hitherto adopted, namely, that the fulfilment of certain conditions is essential in their vital interests. If these are fulfilled, the Princes are willing to join in the Federation. The political correspondent of the Times says most of the modifications the Princes desire can effectively be met by amendments to the bill during the Committee stage.

A message from Delhi on January 22 stated:—The Chamber of Princes today unanimously adopted a resolution submitted by the Maharaja Patiala of Dhiraj, regarding the proposed constitutional reforms in India. The resolution stated: "That this chamber reaffirms its previous declaration of the readiness of. the States to accede to an All-India Federation, provided that essential conditions and guarantees are embodied in the constitution. The chamber, however, must reserve its opinion on these until it has examined the Parliamentary Bill."

MODIFICATION WANTED

CONFERENCE DECISION (Received February 26, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 26 The Bombay correspondent of the Times says the conference of Princes decided that the Reform Bill was unacceptable without satisfactory modification. The New Delhi Council, by 26 votes to 15, rejected a proposal to reduce the British Forces in India. The proposal was supported by severe;] nou-pfficial members in order to accelerate Indianisation and reduce expenditure.