CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21254, 7 February 1931, Page 11

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

THE CAMPAIGN IN INDIA. NO SIGN OF ABATEMENT (United Press Association.) (By Blectrlo Telegraph—Copyright.) DELHI, February 5. While the Assembly is debating a resolution urging the Government to adopt a policy of conciliation towards Congress the civil disobedience movement continues unabated and even more intensive in parts of the country. The Congress leaders in Bombay have started again the illicit manufacture of salt. Two hundred demonstrators picketed shops which were selling English cloth, and many arrests were made after a clash with the police. Mr Gandhi has written urging the Viceroy to institute an official inquiry into Hie alleged harsh treatment of demonstrators throughout India by the police. If the Viceroy accepts the proposal, Mr Gandhi, it is stated, will endeavour to persuade Congress to take advantage of the Prime Minister’s offer to India. Mr Gandhi said that if the returning Round Table Conference delegates were able to explain satisfactorily the Prime Minister’s declaration and if in the light of his demands he saw a settlement possible he was ready to call off the civil disobedience campaign. PRESERVING LAW AND ORDER. NECESSITY FOR ORDINANCES. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 5. In response to the India Congress Party’s demand for the immediate ending of the ordinance by which subversion of law and order is prevented, the -Government of India conveyed an answer through Sir Fazli Hussein, who stated that the ordinance and other “ repressive ” measures would be discontinued as soon as the necessity for them disappeared. The Government, as well as the public, knew that the police charges caused misgiving, but they would not take place unless deliberately provoked. THE MINORITIES QUESTION. ATTITUDE OF CONSERVATIVES. LONDON, February 5. Sir Samuel Hoare, in an article in the Morning Post, stresses the point that when Mr Baldwin said he would endeavour to implement the work of the Indian Round Table Conference, he meant that he would work for, peace, but not peace at any price. There was no intention in the mind of any Conservative that their leader would sacrifice Imperial obligations. “ There will. be no trucking to terrorists, and no' treaty with men who are determined to drive us from India, The Conservative position is most clear. Whilst we believe that an all-India federation would prove the best system of Government, we must be satisfied that any change .proposed will not endanger our obligations. Our command of the army must be clear and undisputed. Internal security and financial stability must be safeguarded, and minorities must be protected and the rights of the services preserved. There must be no unfair economic or commercial discrimination against the British trader.”