PROBLEM OF MINORITIES

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1931, Page 5

PROBLEM OF MINORITIES

POWER IN INDIAN AFFAIRS PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT DIFFERENCE ONLY SLIGHT ARBITRATION SUGGESTED British Wireless. Rugby, Jan. 15. In view of the narrow margin of difference that Remains on the minorities question as a result of yesterday’s developments, hopes are entertained in Indian Round Table Conference circles that efforts to effect a settlement of this stubborn pro; blem will not be abandoned and that they may be brought to a successful issue before the delegates disperse. Broadly stated the problem is to devise a scheme which will give Moslems a sense of security without resorting to devices which it is recognised would stunt the development of Indian national feeling. The new offer made last night by Sir Muhammed Shafi and upon the basis of which virtual agreement was reached between Hindus and Moslems, is recognised as a valuable opportunity for settling the problem, and the British Press confidently awaits further and more favourable developments. Sir Muhammed said he had been authorised by the Moslem delegation to make the offer that Punjab Moslems should have through the communal electorates 49 per cent, of the entire number of seats in the whole House 'and should have liberty to contest the special 'constituencies which jt was proposed to create there; that in Bengal Moslems should have through the communal electorates 46 per cent, representation in the whole House and the right to contest the special constituencies there and that in so far as the minority provinces were concerned Moslems should continue to enjoy the weightage they had at present through the separate electorates, a similar weightage to be given Hindus in Sind and Sikhs in the North-west Frontier province.

If at any time two-thirds of the representatives of aay community in any prolegislative council or in the central legislative council desired to give up the communal electorates and accept joint electorates, then thereafter a system of joint electorates could come into being in that particular provincial or central legislature as the case might be. Regarding the consideration of their new offer the Moslem delegates refrained from commenting on the suggestion for the submitting of the communal question to arbitration advanced yesterday by some leading Hindu delegates. As the Moslem offer was not accepted, however, they have puthorised the following statement:—“lt has been suggested that certain persons should be asked to arbitrate on the HinduMoslem question. The Mohammedan delegation considers that this course would be unconstitutional, as the appropriate and only body which can decide the question, saving an agreement between tie two parties, is the British Parliament.” The reports of its various sub-commit-tees were presented this morning to the conference, sitting in committee under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The conference will end on Monday, when the Prime Minister will make his promised statement of the Government’s policy. There was no resumption to-day of last night’s private meeting of the delegates. The Minorities Sub-committee will have'its final meeting to-morrow, after which the conference will conclude.