GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 94, 25 August 1923, Page 3

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.

(To the Editor,. “S.tratford Evening

Post.”)

Sag—J have seen cjui te recently ‘accounts in many papers reports by ithe Press .Association ro discussions which liave taken place in the Indian Legislative Assembly and motions which were carried by the Assembly; one notably dealing with the “Salt Tax.” In a .footnote, it was also given that the Viceroy had increased the salt tax, notwithstanding that it was contrary to the vote of the House. Now, I could not understand how, or why, the Viceroy could impose something contrary to the vote of the House, and I wrote to the Secretary of the New’ Zealand and India League, asking how this was, and I received the enclosed pamphlet. Now. Sir, we all eumy and appreciate to a large extent “British fair play,” and I thought that you probably had not seen the reason for such a state of affairs, which appears to be against our idea 8 of freedom and jus lice, and I take the liberty of forwarding it to you, thinking that you may care to read it, and probably make some reference of it, if occasion again arises; as I feel sure! the last case must have been confusing to many readers.—l am, etc., t , C. LIDDINGTON. Stratford, August 24th.

Tho pamphlet forwarded by our correspondent, by" Mrs Annie Besant, D.L., deals fully with recent constitutional developments in India. The demand of the Indian National Congress in 1906 for “re 01; nit ion of India ag a component part of at Federated Empire” wag partly realised by the Reform Act of IQ 1 ),9, which gave elected majorities in every Indian Legislature, and was termed by the King “the beginning 'of Swaraj (Home Pule) within my Empire.” This Act reserved certain powers to the He might restore a grant refused by the Assembly, if he were satisfied that the grant wag essential to the discharge of his responsibilities; and “in cases of emergency” he might “authorise such expenditure as may, in his opinion, he necessary for tho safety or tranquillity of British India or any part thereof.” In doubling the salt tax tho Governor-General , did not exercise cither of these powers but acted under clause 26, which refers to cases “where either Chamber of the Indian Legislature refuses leave to introduce, or fails to pass in a form recommended by the Governor-General, any Bill . . Tlie Indian Nationalists claim that “the emergency powers become intolerable, if they are to he used when there is no emergency, hut only a difference erf opinion between the House and the Governorrf>neral. The power of the purse is wrenched from our Parliament.”