THE PROBLEMS OF INDIA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18597, 7 January 1935, Page 8

THE PROBLEMS OF INDIA

REFORM PROPOSALS

MAJOR ATTLEE’S CUITICTSM

(British Official Wireless.) Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY, Jail. 5. 111 the second of the series ol controversial broadcasts 011 the problem ot India, Major Clement 1L Attlee, M.P., criticised the proposals of the Joint Select Committee for Indian Reforms on the ground that there was not a greater approach to dull satisfaction of Indian aspirations. Nevertheless, lie said, it must be recognised that the reforms now recommended constituted a very big advance over the present system of government in the provinces, although much depended on tide spirit in which the reserved powers of the Governor were exercised.

Indians would have in 11 provinces control over nine-tenths of what concerned the ordinary citizens, and they would have powers of self-government comparable with those enjoyed by citizens of the most democratic states. At the centre the, All-Inclia Federation, prerequisite to full self-government, was constituted and the .principle of responsibility was conceded.

It would be a mistake to Jose sight of what had been gained in regrets for what had been withheld. They might ■ill hope that in spite of their disappointment that the Indians .would take full advantage of their wider opportunities of self-government, making the successful working of the new constitution an irresistible argument for its completion.

“GODS AND THE ENGLISH’* DOI,DING INDIA’S DESTINY LONDON, Dec. 31. In his presidential address to the Bombay Liberal Federation. Pandit Mllnz.ru declared, states the correspondent. of the Times, that the constitutional proposals did not bear any likeness to the vision he saw when India took part in the Round Table Conferences. (..'mission of mention of Dominion status, ho said, was tantamount to a denial of the pledge Britain gave India in 1929. "The proposals,” he added, ‘‘concede a minimum of power, and allow a maximum oi' distrust of Indian legis lators and Ministers, while the Viceroy and Governors will be despots. India's destiny is entirely in (he hands of the gods and Englishmen." The Servants of India Society, consisting of Indians pledged to devote themselves to the service of their country, after a three-day conference, passed a resolution condemning the reforms, which they said would increase communal strife and political struggles, embittering Anglo-Indian relations.