BRITISH POLICY IN INDIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18818, 5 March 1931, Page 9

BRITISH POLICY IN INDIA.

Salt Concessions Granted. GANDHI INTERVIEWS VICEROY. United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright DELHI, March 3. Following a two hours’ talk between Sir F. Schuster, Finance Member and Mr Gandhi, at new Delhi, an important agreement was reached, whereby the coastal inhabitants will in future be permitted to gather, manufacture and sell salt without infringing the excise laws. Acknowledgements of this principle is not likely to interfere with the Government’s salt monopoly, under which the Government supplies salt to the major portion of India. The agreement overcomes another serious obstacle, and clears the path for settlement, rendering possible Congress participation in implementing the Round-Table Conference proposals. NEW FEELING OF OPTIMISM. RESULT OF DISCUSSIONS. United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright CALCUTTA, March 2. Following further long discussions between the Viceroy and Mahatma Gandhi, there is a new feeling of optimism over the prospects of early agreement. They will meet again today, when it is thought a final favourable decision may be reached. Mr Gandhi is chiefly pressing for changing the salt laws. . It is now revealed that 75,000 jute mill labourers have been dismissed from the mills in the vicinity of Calcutta during the past week, The railways are also dismissing hands on account of the civil disobedience campaign and the stagnation of trade.