IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16542, 16 November 1915, Page 6

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

INDIA'S DEMAND FOR REPRESENTATION. . WILL THE OVERSEA STATES AGREE? (Fbom Oub Own Cobbespondent.) LONDON, September 28. The voice of India was heard at Simla on Sfeptember 22, when in the Imperial Legislative Council, the Hon. Khan Bahadur Mian Muhamud Shafi moved that the Council adopt a resolution recommending to the Viceroy that representations be sent to the British Government urging that India should henceforth be officially represented a.t Imperial Conferences. He considered that tho gradual evolution in a world-em-pire !iko the British, of the constitutional system—which, while conceding to its component parts varying degrees of autonomy suitable to local circumstances, at the same time enabled them to play a legislative part in Imperial affairs—was an ultimate guarantee of the Empire's permanence. He traced' the development of Imperial sentiment, alluded to Earl Curzon's estimate at the Guildhall in 1904 of India's importance to the Empire, and claimed that on every ground India was entitled to be heard in the councils of the Empire. The relations of India with tho other dominions were becoming increasingly close. "Is there," he asked, "a single problem of Imperial or even international significance jn which India is not directly concerned? Can any echeme of Imperial defence be regarded as complete which does not take into account India's powers of offence as 'well as of defence ? Is it _ possible to . introduce any workable Imperial fiscal reform without consideration of India's inter-Imperial interests? India is directly and materially interested as much as any other dominion in all Imperial problems of tho Empire of which she is 'proud to form a integral part. The presence at Imperial conferences of representatives of this country, with knowledge and experience of the East, will not only satisfy Indian sentiment, but help to solve difficult problems.' If when merely knocking at the outside gate for admission to the Imperial Federation she sent 200,000 troops, what would she do if allowed a place in the councils pf the Empire? The martial races of India would pour forth millions upon millions of unrivalled fighters for tho defenoe of the Empire.

VICEROY'S WARM SYMPATHY, Lord Hardingo made a most important declaration in reply. He said that the Government of India gladly accepted his important resolution, which had his wannest f sympathy, and that if the Council aocepted it the Government would readily comply the recommendation. Ue went on to recapitulate what .had taken place at the Imperial Conference in. the past, and ctenned the actual constitution of the conference, pointing out that representation ]\ as ., , . present confined to the United Kingdom and the self-govemini? dominions, and that the ultimate decision upon the representation of India at the next meeting* of the conference rested with tho Conference itself. If India were ad* mittod it would appear reasonable that she should bo represented by the Secretary of state and one or two official representatives from India nominated by him in consulta™on .. e Viceroy. Having regard to tne difficulties and obstacles that presented themselves in the attainment of the object they all desired, Lord Hardinge said:—"l am authorised by his Majestr's Government, while preserving their full liberty of judgment and without committing them either as to principles or details, to give an undertaking that an expression of opinion from this Imperial Legislative , Council, in the > sense of the resolution now before us, will receive most careful consideration on their part as expressing the, legitimate interest of the Legislative Council in an Imperial question, although the ultimate decision of his Majesty's Government must'necessarily depend largely on the attitude of tho other memfbere of the Conference. This is, I venture to think; all we can reasonably expect at present, and such a pledge is eminently satisfactory as showing 'due* consideration for India's claims." UNDER THE SAME FLAG. ,

Lord Hardinge expressed the sincere hope that theip claims would be approved and supported by his Majesty's Government, and would receive the sympathetic oonsiderair tion of the self-governing dominions. Much, he said, had happened since the last Conference in 1911, and India's size, population, wealth, military resources, and/ lastly, her patriotism, demanded suitable representation for her. She could not be disregarded when great Imperial issues were bated in which she was vitally oonoerned. To discuss questions affecting the defence of the Empire without counting India would be to ignore tho value andi interests of the greatest military asset outside the . United Xincdom. To discuss trade questions without India would be disregarding. England's best, customer. To concede India direct representation at future Imperial Conferences would be no revolutionary or far-reaching concession, to Indian opinion or, her just claims. The Viceroy concluded:—" I feel confident that when this question is placed in its true light before the Governments of the self-governing dominions, they .will regard it from "that wider angle of vision from which we hope other Indaan questions may be viewed! in the near future, so that the people of India may, in the words of Mr Asquith, feel that they are oonscious members of a living partnership all over' tho world under the same flag." The motion was unanimously adopted amidst applause.