INDIA'S PRACTICAL PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23772, 27 September 1940, Page 6

INDIA'S PRACTICAL PROBLEM

It is one thing to make a speech in London about the constitutional problem of India and another tiling to "deal at close quarters, on the spot, with the practical difficulties to be faced successfully there if India is to become fully united in its effort to help in the winning of the war. This difference is well known to Mr. Amery, but it must be said for others' guidance when considering the burden of his address to the Overseas League. He did well to refer in a sympathetic way to the forthcoming talk or talks between Mr. Gandhi and the Viceroy, and he planted another promising seed of conciliatory discussion when he plainly announced that all matters of constitutional importance were open to re-examination. These tactful words, from the Secretary of State for India, should encourage prominent men in all parties to mako less of sharp cleavages and more of •- fundamental-, union - in serving - the

welfare of India. In the immediate situation, it is the Viceroy rather than the Secretary for India who can best handle the practical difficulties, One notable contribution to a better understanding, however, Mr. Aniery has made in London for overhearing by India: the Nazi doctrine is a direct attack upon the spiritual basis of all forms of religion as India knows and lives by them. It is, indeed, the soul of India that is threatened most relentlessly. The time does not call for a fresh analysis of the Government of India Act, 1935, but for a fresh spirit of give and take—which is by no means identical with the "compromise" of which Mr. Amery has spoken—on the part of all the human elements in India. These have, indeed, to live and work together under any form of constitution offered and accepted, and the sooner this is realised and practised, even before any re-exam-ination of the 1935 scheme takes place, the better for everybody. From Mr. Amery and the British Government the spotlight turns to fall again upon Mr. Gandhi and the Vice row