BRITISH POLICY IN INDIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18819, 6 March 1931, Page 9

BRITISH POLICY IN INDIA.

Negotiations Succeed. TERMS OF AGREEMENT AWAITED WITH INTEREST. British Official Wireless RUGBY, March 4. Captain Wedgwood Benn, announced in the House of Commons that Lord Irwin had advised that the Delhi conversations concluded satisfactorily last night. The Viceroy proposed to issue an early statement. It is understood that the text will be released simultaneously in India and in the House of Commons tomorrow afternoon. REJOICINGS IN INDIA. [• j AGREEMENT ACCEPTED BY CONGRESS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 5, 9.5 p.m.) CALCUTTA, March 5. The news from Delhi of an agreement, was received with rejoicing throughout India. It is recalled that Gandhi's first ultimatum was delivered to the Viceroy on March 3 last year, and the settlement was arrived at on March 3, this year. The agreement was unanimously approved by the Congress Working Committee yesterday, and most of the leaders have left Delhi, and returned to their respective provinces. ANXIETY IN LONDON. DANGER OF HASTY CONCLUSIONS United Press / —By Electric Telegraph—Coprrlght (Received March 5, 11.25 p.m.) LONDON, March 5. Anxiety prevails in Conservative quarters at the nature of the agreement between Lord Irwin and Mahatma Gandhi. “The Times” warns the public against hasty conclusions. It says that there is no prospect of complete tranquillity just because Lord Irwin convinced Gandhi that the way of co-op-eration is better than the way of conflict. Nor is there any sense in talking about a surrender, until it is clear that some vital concession has been made to the forces of disorder.

The editorial severely criticises the attitude of Mr Churchill, and says the use of force had always irresistible attraction for him. His speeches perhaps remind the Indians that we have our extremists as well as they. If India is to be saved it can only be by the way broadly indicated by Mr Baldwin who has done his utmost to prevent India becoming a party question.

THREE CARDINAL PRINCIPLES. NEW VICEROY’S ADMISSION. United Press Association —lsy Electrlo Telegraph—Copyi *ghl (Received March 5, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 4. Enunciating the three principles which will guide him as Viceroy, Lord Willingdon, to whom the Pilgrim’s Association gave a farewell dinerr, said he would seek co-operation from princes and the people in the spirit and atmosphere of the Round Table Conference, to lead India towards the goal of responsible government, until she became an equal partner with the other Dominions. He would urge obedience to the law throughout the country. The second principle was equality of opportunity, which was difficult where castes and communities were so numerous and different; the third was that a .man’s character and not his colour counted. “My greatest helper, as always, will be my wife.” His Majesty, and the Duke of Connaught sent messages wishing Lord Willingdon success.