PRESS COMMENT

Southland Times, Issue 22486, 23 November 1934, Page 7

PRESS COMMENT

THE INDIA REPORT

PROPOSALS SHOULD BE ACCEPTED

EXTRA SAFEGUARDS

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 9.55 p.m.) London, November 22. The political correspondent of the Daily Telegraph learns that the Government intends to give full effect to the India report which had a favourable reception in the House of Commons. Members hold that the report should be accepted by Parliament as expressing the considered opinion of a body which dealt with the question from a statesmanlike viewpoint. It is believed that an extension of safeguards will tend to modify the opposition of Right Wingers and influence the decision of the Conservative Party at a meeting of the Central Council on December 4.

The Times says that the first impression is that the report has attracted immense weight of authority. The main principles of the Government’s draft scheme have withstood a particularly searching test. What matters for the moment is that neither India nor the people of Britain should be led away by any false version of the document. The Manchester Guardian says that the proposals for the federation of all India have not merely been left unshaken—their rightness and necessity are positively confirmed. The Daily Express says: “The White Paper is now waste paper. The frame of the structure which the White Paper planned remains, but the new report suggests that its own proposals would vest the control of the lower house in British and not in Indian hands. Indians with one voice will reject the report.” The Daily Herald says: “A great opportunity has been missed. The proposals of the committee have been shot through with timidity and distrust instead of wise generosity. The test of the proposals has been: how little need we to concede in order to avoid trouble.” SAFEGUARDS CRITICIZED TWO DISSENTIENT GROUPS. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, November 21. Commenting on the India report the Daily Mail says: “The safeguards are pure eyewash. India will be handed over to the control of men thoroughly hostile to Britain. It is most important for the future safety of our countrymen in India that the maintenance and direction, of the police should remain in British hands.”

The News-Chronicle says: “The report is at least a vast step towards selfgovernment of India. It would be wise to accept it and give it a fair trial.” The Times says: “The report is too large and serious to admit of hasty conclusions. The dissentient views revealed two groups of approximately equal strength opposed to the majority. Five Conservatives thought the report too hasty and far-reaching and four Socialists deplored caution and checks on safeguards. The dissentients cancel out each other.”