INDIAN REFORMS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1934, Page 7

INDIAN REFORMS

EUROPEAN SATISFACTION. STATEMENT BY THE VICEROY. British Wireless. Rugby, Dec. 20. The first public pronouncement by the Government of India on the report of the Joint Select Committee was made last night before the European Association at Calcutta by Lord Willingdon, the Viceroy. He confirmed the assurance given by the president that the association considered the scheme laid down in the report as satisfactory, forming a reasonable basis for a constitution, as it would mark a notable step towards the goal presaged in the preamble of 1919. Referring to the position of the Princes, he expressed the hope that when the Bill was laid on the table in the House of Commons th- Princes would find their position adequately safeguarded. They would then stand by their promise and the assurances of their representatives at the Round Table Conference that they would be willing partners in the All India federation.

The Viceroy’s speech made it clear that he regarded the proposed constitutional frame-work as sound and workable, making an immense advance towards responsible government. His constant effort while in India has always been to move India forward until she has achieved her great desire to arrive at a complete position of equal partnership within the Empire with the other Dominions under the Crown.