INDIAN SELF-GOVERNMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1929, Page 9

INDIAN SELF-GOVERNMENT

DOMINION STATUS THE AIM VICEROY’S ACTIVITY AT HOME ANNOUNCEMENT By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian Press Association. United Service. London, Oct. 13, The Sunday Times says the GovernorGeneral, Lord Irwin, before returning to India last Thursday was in close consultation with the Government regarding India’s future and, soon after resuming the Vice-Royalty a fortnight hence, he will make an important announcement on the future policy. Simultaneously in the British Parliament it will be made clear that tho Government adheres to the 1927 declaration and will lay down set terms for Dominion status for India, which is the goal to be aimed at when conditions are practicable. It is expected Captain Wedgewood Benn, Secretary of State for India, will go to India in the winter to arrange a round table conference at which all shades of Indian opinion will be represented. It is understood that Lord Irwin’s statement, while not anticipating or prejudicing the Simon Statutory Commission report, will give' general indications of the lines of advance contemplated.

NO DRAMATIC POLICY CHANGE. STARTLING RUMOURS UNTRUE. Received Oct. 14, 7.15 p.m. Times. London, Oct. 14? “A warning is clearly required regarding various rumours suggesting an immense and dramatic change in British policy regarding India,” says The Times in a leader. Statements that Commander Wedgwood Benn will shortly be visiting India to study the situation, also the suggested announcement of a time limit within which India will be given Dominion status, will ignore the Simon Commission, which must clearly provide the material for discussion upon any constitutional changes. Moreover, Commander Wedgwood Benn does not intend to commit the mistake of anticipating the commission’s report by a tour or definite promise regarding Dominion statue. It would be unfair to the Government to assume they contemplate drastic reversal of the patient, sympathetic investigation which has been followed, with complete unanimity by all British parties.

BRITISH PARLIAMENT’S POLICY. ADVANCE PROMISED FOR 1029. The declared policy, of the British Parliament is to provide for the increasing association of Indians in every branch of administration and for the gradual development of self-governing institutions, with a view to the pro- 7 gressive realisation of responsible Government in India as. an integral part of the Empire. In 1919, after the Great War, the Home Government, undoubtedly influenced by the spontaneous and eager efforts of all classes in India in support of the British Raj, resolved to confer the largest measure of independence to - India compatible with the due discharge by the Government of India of its responsibilities. The British Government proposed, as a co.ollary to this action, that after the expiration of ten years the possibility and advisability of a further advance should be considered. The obvious intention was that, shot Id the leaders of the Indian peoples be willing and show ability to take over a large measure of responsibility for the government of the country, another step towards self-government should be made in 1029.

In November, 1027, the Statutory Commission promised in 1919 was appointed to inquire into the working of the system of government, the growth of education and the development of representative institutions in India. The cojnmission was instructed to report to what extent it was desirable to extend, modify or restrict the degree of responsible government in India. The task of the Government of India is to hold the balance between the conflicting interests of a population of 319,• 090,900 which is broken into a large number of religious groups and subdivisions of castes.