“FREE INDIA.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18875, 30 May 1923, Page 10

“FREE INDIA.”

EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE HOME RULE. . A BIG MEETING AT DELHI. The full report of the National Conference held at. Raisina, Delhi, early this year has been received. It ia published by the “Besant' Press,” Madras. Dr Besant herself welcomed the delegates. As regards “creed.” she said, there was no creed except that of Parliamentary action as the method of gaining dominion status' and Swaraj, Home Rule. The work of the conference was to educate the constiuonoies, by putting before them a clear programme of reform, and to obtain a mandate to those who would be elected that they would take steps ,to call, after the next councils had been elected, a national convention, which, according to its own view of the circumstances, and according to, the views of the members - that are elected, would choose the fashion in which they would advance to dominion status and Home Rule, or Swaraj. Dr Besant having vacated the chair, it was occupied for the rest of the conference* by Sir Tpj Bahadur Sapru, who reviewed the reforms associated with - the names of Mr Montague and Lord Chelmsford, which had • beep accorded a mixed reception by Indians. He did not think for one moment that the Imperial Government could go back on its pledge to give India responsible Government. In the provinces .they now had a partial element of responsibility.; In the. Central Government no responsibility. Both the provinces of the Central Government had been passing through a period of severe financial stress, and this would probably account for two provinces not being able to show a better . record of progress. He had found a growing feeling that the time had arrived for full provincial autonomy The present Constitution was such that it was believed it could not last very lonfir ' DIFFERING RELIGIONS. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru then referred to the relations between Hindus and Mohammedans. He thought a genuine understanding between the two communities lay at the root of all progress in the future. British interests in India could not be ignored in any question of selfgovernment in India. So far as the. Englishmen’s interests in India were concerned they would be safe in a self-governing India as they fiad been in the past. The speaker held that the position of the permanent services in India must be approximated to that of the permanent services m England and the colonies. They should bo entirely, recruited in India, and consist of practically wholly or mainly Indians. The army should be Tndianised” within a reasonable period of time. Only when India was able to defend herself that she would 'have real self-government. “Once w© accept the position that we want dominioii status for India.”. the speaker added, “we are within our rights in bringing the utmost pressure to bear upon the Government here and the Government in England.” Ho stoutly defended obtaining reforms by constitutional methods. CONSTITUTIONAL METHODS. An address by the Hon. V. S. Srinvasa Sastri was read (he was unable to bo present) and it outlined the plan for Swaraj or Horn* Rule for India. “We cannot afford,’' he write, “to countenance, even for a moment, the morbid cry: ‘Paralyse the Government, paralyse the Administration, and paralyse all national work till Swaraj is attained.’ ” Mr Sastri was strong tor constitutional methods. The conference carried with acclamation the following resolution: — , , „ “That this conference—composed of the elected members of the Indian and Provincial Legislatures and local boards, of representatives of political organisations and public workers, recalling Your Majesty’s gracious message to the Reformed Indian Legislature, that it was the beginning of Swaraj within your Majesty's Empire, meeting to expedite its coming for the strengthening of the ties between Great Britain and India—lays its homage at your Majesty’s feet.” . Dr Annie Besant was one of the principal sneakers at the conference. The object of the conference, she described as “to win a mandate to the newly-elected members to call a convention after the approaching elections in order to. obtain for the Commonwealth of India dominion status in her external relations. a.nd Swaraj in her internal affairs.” The president paid a great compliment to Mrs Besant for her great services to India. She was regarded, be said, as “a very genuine Indian.” particularly mentioning her educational work at Benares.