SITUATION IN INDIA

Southland Times, Issue 21428, 24 June 1931, Page 7

SITUATION IN INDIA

“RED SHIRT ARMY’S” ACTIVITIES. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, June 22. Questioned in the House of Commons as to the measures contemplated to suppress the activities of the “Red Shirt Army,’ which is being organized in the frontier provinces, the Secretary for India, Captain Wedgwood Benn, said that unintentionally a misleading impression as to the actual position was given in recent Press reports, which recorded in a single message various incidents which had occurred over a considerable, period. The Government of India saw no immediate necessity for any special action, but the provisions of the ordinarylaw would be exercised for the maintenance of order and the control of meetings.

FEDERAL STRUCTURE COMMITTEE.

- (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, June 22. Die Secretary for India, Captain Wedgwood Benn, answered in the negative a question in the House of Commons whether the Government would consider the advisability of postponing a meeting of the lederal Structure Committee until certain ruling princes who had recently condemned the Federal Constitution outlined by the Round-Table Conference accepted that principle. EVENTS IN BURMA PROCLAMATION OF AMNESTY. (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, June 22. In a statement in the House of Commons on the events of the past week in Burma, the Secretary for India, Captain Wedgwood Benn, said the Government had Issued a proclamation of amnesty to all except the leaders and participators in serious outrages on an undertaking being given by them that they would return to their villages, assist the Government and give information about the rebellion. The Government had several interviews with the leaders of the different communities and parties at which it was requested that the scope of the amnesty should be widened. This proposal was being considered. The economic situation was unchanged. _ Die late break of rains delayed cultivation in many districts, and it was impossible yet to distinguish the effect of this from the effects of the rebellion on the economic situation.