AFFAIRS OF INDIA

Southland Times, Issue 21264, 10 December 1930, Page 7

AFFAIRS OF INDIA

WORK OF CONFERENCE INFORMAL AND FRIENDLY DISCUSSIONS SEPARATION OF BURMA (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 8. Both yesterday and on Saturday there were informal and perfectly friendly discussions between Hindu and Moslem delegates at the Round-Table Conference with the object of reaching adjustments on the minority question. Meanwhile, reports that the Government had taken sides in a socalled deadlock on this difficult issue is authoritatively described as absolutely untrue. The Government has not yet approached the subject itself at all and, while naturally it is taking a keen interest in it, it continues to regard a solution as primarily’ a matter for Indian communities. The problem is one that has engaged attention for years, and the fact that conventions in London which have taken place between the Indian delegates during the last few weeks have aot as yet provided a solution is no justification for excessive pessimism. Discussions between the Indian delegates are entirely free from friction, but arc marked by a mutual desire to reach accommodation on a long standing and unquestionably intricate problem. There are sub-committees of the conference at work on the subject of federal relations, provincial constitution and the separation of Burma from India. The Federal Relations Sub-Committec is meeting twice daily in the hope that a report will be ready for presentation to the final conference early next week. It is understood those delegates who take the view that federation is the only practicable method of achieving a united India expressed frankly their views on the conditions on which they are willing to participate. They feel that the States should enter the scheme individually by separate conventions and all States could retain sovereignty and full internal independence save where sovereignty may be sacrificed for federal purposes. Before any final decision is reached, however, the Princes desire precise elucidation of the position in regard to finance and the provinces in British India. It is made clear in the discussions that they would be prepared to federate with British India as it is to-day. Three Sub-Committees Meet. Meetings were held to-day of three subcommittees. The Burma sub committee discussed various aspects of the constitutional issues arising in connection with the separation proposal, but no definite proposals are to be sent forward. However, it is generally agreed that the legitimate interests of India and other minorities in Burma must be safeguarded. The committee considers that when details of the constitution of Burma are being discussed, the fullest opportunity should be given all minorities and the Government of India to represent their views and to state the nature and extent of safeguards considered necessary. The committee considers adequate attention should be paid the question of immigration of Indian labour and provision be made for regulation of conditions, work, and life of immigrants. The committee also specially stressed the importance of there being no discrimination regarding Indians entering Burma.

The Federal Structure Sub-Committee resumed discussion of the component elements of federation, the type of the federal legislature, number of chambers of which it should consist, and the powers of the federal legislature, and heard representative views of Princes and British Indian delegates. In the Provincial Constitutional Subcommittee there was a long discussion on the provision that should be made on the abolition of dyarchy for the maintenance of law and order, which it is felt must become the responsibility of the provincial legislature.

Discussion by the Burma Sub-Committca ranged over a wide field under the following headings: Firstly, the nature of the constitutional advance for Burma on separation ; secondly, the best method for securing tho interests of the minorities, which should be given adequate protection; thirdly, precedence for necessary financial settlements between India and Burma and arrangements for the defence of Burma after separation; fourthly, the desirability for continuing central services, such as scientific services; fifthly, the desirability of promoting suitable arrangements to facilitate trade between India and Burma. It is proposed to set out the decision of the sub-committee in resolutions.

Draft Resolutions. The sub-committee to-day decided that the financial question could be dealt with in the manner recommended in the Government of India’s despatch. Another resolution expressed the hope that the adjustment of relations would be effected in the spirit of reason and conciliation. Another recognized the importance of making adequate arrangements for the defence of Burma which would demand the advice of expert military authorities. With the exception of the minorities resolution mentioned above, however, these are merely draft resolutions.

The Princes have to some extent cleared the ground in the Federal Structure Subcommittee by defining their viewpoints regarding the component elements. They consider that all the States should retain their sovereignty and their full internal independence excepting in features of sovereignty that are sacrificed for federal purposes. The interests of all tho smaller States, which should be grouped, should be safeguarded. The grouping should be a matter for the States themselves, and be settled by a chamber of Princes. On the other side, the component element would be British India. Before going into an internal decision, however, the Princes desire to know what would be the position regarding the centre and provinces in British India, and made it clear that they do not desire to federate with British India as it exists to-day. It was also made clear that no State should be coerced to join the federation. Preference is expressed for the federation of autonomous provinces and for a legislature of two chambers.

_ Regarding federation with the Indian States, unitary federation in which the States and British India would work together in the same federal bodies was favoured with the Princes or their representatives in both Chambers. Regarding reserved subjects such as defence, external relations, etc., it is suggested that during the transitional period they must be in charge of the Viceroy, but should ultimately also become federal subjects.