Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" Established 1890. SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1931. INDIA WITHIN THE EMPIRE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 81, 14 March 1931, Page 4

Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" Established 1890. SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1931. INDIA WITHIN THE EMPIRE

A FEELING of relief and satisfaction will be engendered throughout the Empire by the prospect of a settlement of the vexed question of India's status. The demand for political independence has been Increasingly clamant, and there has been fostered a spirit 'of hostility towards Britain, while the age-old caste and religious differences have engendered sporadic outbreaks of violence. Another serious factor has been the boycotting of British wares in a market which once absorbed a very great proportion of the Home industrial output. Industries, especially in Lancashire, were languishing because of the policy adopted by the Indian Congress, and the conditions were growing progressively worse. A few months ago the prospects of a settlement of the outstanding differences were remote, for Mahatma Gandhi refused to participate in the Round Table Conference except on terms that could not be accepted by the British Government. Despite the defection of the Congress party all sections of Indian thought were represented, and such progress was made towards a common basis that when the delegates returned to India Mr. Gandhi was compelled to listen to their representations. Certain minor concessions were allowed by the Indian authorities, and the way is now clear for the adoption of terms that will be satisfactory to all. save the extremist sections. There will doubtless be those at Home who fear that too much has been conceded to the Indians, while among the Natives there will be some who complain that the agreement falls short of their requirements. One fear is that the ill-balanced portion of the native population may be carried away by the degree of success achieved, and led to adopt an overbearing and arrogant attitude towards the colony of Europeans, but that is always a risk incurred in the liberation of native races, and reasonable counsels and control by the leaders can reduce it to a minimum. It cannot be claimed that definite terms for the self-government of (be country have yet been attained; many difficulties have to be surmounted before that stage is reached, but it is something to have found a common ground upon which all the parties can meet and discuss the cor.iiitions that will make India the finest and truest jewel ?i!.l the strongest force within t lit? Empire.