The Daily News SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1930. THE INDIA CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1930, Page 6

The Daily News SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1930. THE INDIA CONFERENCE.

After so much has been heard of the British views concerning the problem of the future government of India the proceedings at the round-table conference in London, at which the views of ruling Princes and other leading representatives of that vast country are being promulgated, will doubtless arouse much interest and speculation. The outstanding point that has focussed attention up to the present is the proposal “that a committee be appointed to consider the structure of a federal system of Indian Government as regards the relations between the States and British India, and those between the provinces of British India and the centre, and to make recommendations as to tjie principles to be applied.” After the two delegations from 'lndia had met and nominated representatives to serve on this fedei’al relations committee the proposal was passed by the conference, the presicleht having ruled that suggested amendments t° the scheme should be considered by the committee before the main proposal was Submitted to the conference, There aye two obvious points that suggest themselves in connection with this decision, namely, the evident feeling in favour of federation, and the wisdom of the president in'assigning to the committee the very important task of dealing with all suggested amendments to the scheme in order that it may cohfe before the conference as a concrete proposal to be considered on its merits. Admittedly the theory is. attractive, hut its practical application is quite another matter. There appear, however, to-' be indications of a real desire on the part of the Indian delegates of high standing to approach the work of the conference worthily and conscientiously. If they all follow the lead of the Maharajah of Alwar the optimism in evidence, as to the success of the conference should be justified, That distinguished ruler urged that for the well-being of their national cause they must give up their little quarrels and differences, and as opportunities occur? red put forward their points of view in greater detail. He emphasised that the delegates sought no new territories or powers, but only the practical application of their treaties and alliances. He contended that many held the view that British India might again be formed into States, thus making true Swaraj as a living reality much nearer, as well as perpetuating the link with the Crown through its representative, the Viceroy. Above all, it would maintain in strong bonds commercial and trade relations with England. At the same time he frankly admitted the necessity of an Imperial army to safeguard the Crown’s obligations and to protect the ports and frontiers, with internal armies of the States maintained for security and assistance in emergencies. India, he claimed, had helped England in. the war crisis, and it was now England’s turn to help India reach a position beyond which they had no desire to go — the position of a sister Dominion within the Empire. Such an attitude is one that should go a long way towards a successful solution of the problem. The readiness of the Princes to work for the ideal of a greater India cannot fail to

be a factor in the ultimate decision. It is with the extremists that the main struggle will take place?-those who clamour for India to be freed from every vestige of British administration; to be as free in India as a Canadian is in Canada. What they aim at is unification and nation.; hood under a central Government entirely Indian; in other words, complete independence. Apparently there is little hope of these conflicting views being adjusted, but some sort of compromise may possibly be evolved that will tide over a crisis for a while, though without decreasing the present agitation and tactics of the extremists. The conference proceedings will throw much light on the subject, and are apparently reaching an interesting stage. It may be taken for granted that every effort will be made to safeguard the welfare of India and ifs inhabitants. To allow the extremists to command the future of that country is unthinkable. What the rest of the Empire is hoping is that gradually India may fit itself for Dominion status under adequate safeguards, and it is in that direction that a practical solution of the problem appears to lie.