FUTURE OF INDIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19108, 29 February 1924, Page 5

FUTURE OF INDIA

EVENTUAL SELF-GOVERNMENT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. A PLEA FOR PATIENCE. Pr«w Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 27. Lord Olivier (Secretary of State for India) made a statement in the House of Lords on India. He said the Government was not prepared to accept, or to indicate that it nrghi be prepared to accept, on tho recommendation of a round-table conference, a new scheme for now establishing full responsible government in India. It was only three years since the institi.-tio'.i of a scheme of reform which was adopted because we were convinced that the establishment of full responsible government would have been worse than perilous. It would have been big with disaster to the people of India. The purposes which that transitional scheme were designed to give had not been availed of. The Government had the same ultimate aim for India as the Swarajists—namely, the substitution of responsible dominion government for the present admittedly transitional political constitution. The Government earnestly desired .to avail itself of the Swarajists' disposition towards effectual consultation. The Government was open to consider any practical proposals, but it was not yet satisfied with regard to -vhat might be the best means of establishing that closer contact and better understanding that was so manifestly desirable. It was hoped, however, that, after consulting the Government of India, the British Government would be able, with the least avoidable delay, to decide on the means. Meanwhile, the Government, with an unequivocably friendly feeling toward the Indians' Constitutional Reforming Party, appealed to that party for patience, circumspection, aud co-operation in using its councils for efficient administration.—Reuter.