INDIA’S PROBLEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25881, 27 June 1945, Page 5

INDIA’S PROBLEMS

DISCUSSIONS AT SIMLA THE OPENING STAGES RUGBY, June 25. Viscount Wavell, in his opening speech at the conference with Indian leaders, said: " I have called you together at this critical moment to advise and help me in advancing India towards prosperity, political freedom, and greatness. I ask you to give me that help in a spirit of broad cooperation toward the good of India as a whole. It is not a constitutional settlement, it is not a final solution of India’s complex problems that is proposed. Nor does the plan in any way prejudge or prejudice the final issue, but if it succeeds I am sure it will pave the way toward a settlement. We have got to rise above the level of old prejudices, enmities and party and sectional advantage, and think of India, the good of 400,000,000 people, and how we can best combine and implement these new proposals. “ You must accept my leadership for the present. Until there is some agreed change in the Constitution I am responsible to the home Government for the good government and tranquillity of India. I ask you to believe in me as a sincere friend of India. I will endeavour to guide the discussions of this conference in what I believe to be the best interests of this country. ~ , . , . “On the column which stands in front of the Viceroy’s house, crowned by the Star of India, are engraved these words: ‘ln thought and faith, in word and wisdom, in deed and courage, in life and service, so may India be great.’ They will make a good guide for our conference Optimism was noticeable in Simla on Monday night following the first day’s session of the important conference on India’s problems, writes, a Simla correspondent. Those attending are sworn to secrecy, but one prominent member disclosed that trie opening stages were going well. The suggestion has been made that Mr Gandhi should attend the conference as a visitor, without taking part in the proceedings. Mr Gandhi has informed Viscount Wavell that he had no official mandate from the Congress Party, but after seeing the Viceroy he stayed in Simla in readiness to give any advice needed.- , , „ A .. Unofficially, it is reported that the discussions nave reached the detailed stage, and that both the Congress and the Moslem League groups held long private meetings on Monday. night after the session ended. Viscount Wavell played golf. He was in a cheerful mood. . One of the main sources of conflict at the Simla Conference may yet prove to be Mr Gandhi’s decision not to participate officially, says the British United Press Simla correspondent. The rank and file of the Congress Party believe that Mr Gandhi refused to participate because he could not get sufficient satisfaction from Viscount Wavell when he interviewed him, and consequently believes that the talks will fail. Mr Gandhi’s decision has caused considerable pessimism over the outcome of the conference. A friend of Mr Jinnah said: “Mr Jinnah is distressed and hurt at Mr Gandhi’s attitude. Mr Jinnah would not under any circumstances talk with Dr Azad. the Congress president.” With the chances of a Moslem-Hindu settlement thus minimised, the Moslems accuse Mr Gandhi of torpedoing the conference.