RULING OF INDIA

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1930, Page 7

RULING OF INDIA

FEDERATION FAVOURED

'SALVATION OF THE COUNTRY’

EMPIRE EQUALITY SOUGHT

NATIVE DELEGATES’ VIEW

BRITISH TRADE INTERESTS

A form of federal government with the status of a Dominion wap advocated by British India and Indian State delegates to the conference at. London at the plenary session on Monday. If Dominion status were granted, a delegate stated, the cry for independence would die in a few months.

British Wireless- Rugby, Nov. 17. When the plenary session of the Indian round table conference opened this morning the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MaeP 0 read a message from Lord Stamfordham stating that the,King received with much satisfaction the communication expressing the dutiful thanks of the conference to the King for underta-king the opening of the ceremony and to the Queen for the kindly solicitude displayed towards the delegates.

The Prime Minister extended a cordial welcome, to the delegates. He said they must keep in mind two things—they were there to co-operate and they must be animated by a determination to succeed.

An interesting discussion was provoked by the recommendation of the business committee that the question should be debated whether the future constitution of India should be on a federal or an unitary basis. It suggested that the general trend of such a discussion would enable the conference, with the help of the committee; to frame a programme for future discussion in committee.

The Prime Minister indicated that he would, as chairman, rule that a liberal interpretation be put upon the committee’s report and would allow delegates to refer to cognate questions.

INTEGRAL PART OF EMPIRE. Opening the general discussion upon the future constitution of India, Sir r, ’ej Bahadur Sapru said it was natural that such a country as his, brought into contact with western ideas and vibrating with the new movement of the East, should seek freedom within its own borders as an-integral part of the British Empire. India wanted and was uetermined to achieve a. status of equality with the other members of the. British Commonwealth, Which would give it a Government not- merely responsible *p, but responsive to, the popular vote. ■ Sir Tej personally believed it would not do to offer provincial autonomy unless it was coupled with a decided and clear change in the constitution of the central Government, which must be made responsible to the Legislature. He was a strong believer in the federal form of Government and believed that therein lay the salvation of India. He would welcome the association of Indian States with British India, mainly for the reasons that they would furnish a, stabilising factor in their constitution, the process of unification would begin without delay, and, in regard ,to defence matters, they, would furnish practical experience which was yet wanting in British India. Referring to commerce Sir Tej said there was not a single man at the c inference who would like to have anj r ex-propryitary legislation. Europeans were welcome to suggest any safeguards for their rights and interests and Indians would most willingly meet them.

Regarding the army they realised that they had to Laina sufficient number of ' their own men, which would require patience. What they required was ,uie opportunity to train them and freedom to establish institutions. “So far as your army is concerned, by all means, keep it ip the hands of the Viceroy. . We, on oqr part, are willing to provide funds and agree to statutory charges in respect of the army.” AIM AT DOMINION STATUS. The ' Maharajah of Bikaner said the ultimate attainment of Dominion statue was inherent in the declaration of policy in 1917, and had more recently received, authoritative endorsement. Let them aim at that, fully realising that their sister States did not reach their end <me stride and, in the intervening stage, certain safeguards and gu • , antees were imperatively necessary for the security of the body politic and all parts thereof. Speaking from the viewpoint of the Indian States the maharajah said that, linked with their devotion to the Crown, there was an unfaltering adherence to the British Commonwealth of Nations. They of the Indian eStates were willing to take part in and make their contributions to the greater prosperity and contentment of India as a whole. That could best be done through the federal system of Government, composed of the States and British India. Mr. M. R. Jayakar, putting forward the point of view of the younger generation in India, said the present was a time of utmost importance, because if India obtained to-day what she wanted she would be satisfied with many things which would not satisfy her six months hence. “If yon give India Dominion status to-day, in thq course of a few months the cry of independence wi|l die of itself. If, on the other hand, we return empty-handed, it will he the surest way of raising in volume and intensity this cry of independence.” Referring to the army question, Mr. -•Jayakar said Indians would listen to any safeguards suggested along the period of transition in order to make it easier and safer for both sides.

The minorities question could be solved by giving ppportunities for common endeavours to Indians. That feeling could be created only by giving India complete freedom in the form of Dominion status. Harness all the minorities together and much discontentment will disappear. Young India did not insist upon impossible terms of federation, but only upon such terms as most of the Indian States at present were prepared to accept. They had no desire to interfere at all in the internal affairs of the Indian States, but were prepared to wait, until they themselves came into line with the ways of young India. If the States would accept Supreme Court justice, to which all matters in dispute between them and British India could be referred, and would voluntarily submit to its jurisdiction, the question in effect would be sol\ed.

Mr. Jayakar promised an assurance regarding British and European commercial interests and pointed out that a contented community was a much better customer than a discontented one. He contended that the main interest of Britain in India was commerce, and said the consuming power of 330,000,600 people was a powerful asset in their hands, even from the point of view of simply material interests, and apart from moral forces such as friendliness and comradeship. Absolute Dominion freedom should be given India in order that Britain’s trade migfli prosper.

The business committee of the conference has decided to recommend that when the general discussion has finished the conference should set up a federation relations committee. A resolution to this effect will be submitted to-morrow.

'■ As a result of the decisions reached to-day, Lord Sankey has been asked to accept the position of deputy-president of the conference, and six chairmen of the conference will be set up, embracing Lords Reading and Peel, the Maharajah of Bikaner, the Nawab of Bhopal, the Aga Khan and Mr. Sastri. It is agreed that the general discussion now proceeding should extend over the.mornings of three days, and that the orders of the speakers should be pre-arranged. After a discussion revealing some division of opinion, the president said the general sense was that the Press shouljl not be admitted to the general discussion, but should have fill? and impartial information regarding the proceedings from three officers of the general secretariat, acting under the general control committee consisting of Captain Wedgwood Benn (representing the British delegation), Mr. Rushbrook Williams (the Indian States) and Mr. C. Y. Chintamani (the British Indian delegation). The weekly report by the Government of India on the internal situation states that it is too early yet to estimate the attitude of Indian public towards the Government of India, but whatever that attitude may be there is no doubt that the conference is attracting great interest in India and directing a good deal of public attention towards constructive methods of obtaining a solution of constitutional nroblenis.