IS PEACE IN SIGHT IN INDIA?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18820, 7 March 1931, Page 17 (Supplement)

IS PEACE IN SIGHT IN INDIA?

Irwin-Gandhi Negotiations. TERMS OF NEW AGREEMENT. United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright DELHI, March 6. The Government of India has come out of the Irwin-Gandhi conversations with at least equal honours. The terms of the agreement, which were announced this evening, include:— (1) The calling off of the civil disobedience movement, with, reciprocal action by the Government. (2) The boycott of British' goods as a political weapon is to be discontinued, and the sale and purchase of British goods allowed. (3) Peaceful picketing is to be permitted, but is to be discontinued if it becomes violent. (4) The release of all persons imprisoned in connection with the civil disobedience movement, with the . exception of those accused of violence, and the withdrawal of all ordinances promulgated to deal with the movement. (5) Residents of all areas, particularly the poor, where there are 'salt deposits, to be permitted to gather and manufacture salt for domestic consumption or sale within their own area. Mr Gandhi agreed to withdraw the demand for an inquiry into allegations against the conduct of the police. STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT. CONGRESS .TO PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS. British Official Wireless RUGBY, March 6. A statement issued in Delhi and read in the House of Commons by Mr W. Wedgwood Benn (Secretary for India) gives the text of the settlement reached in the conversations between the Viceroy (Lord Irwin) and Mr Gandhi.

As regards constitutional questions, the scope of future discussions is stated, with the assent of the British Government, to be further consideration of the scheme for the Government of India discussed at the London Round-Table Conference. In pursuance of Mr Ramsay Macdonald’s statement, steps will be taken for the participation of representatives of the National Congress in the further dis-

It is explained that the effective discontinuance of civil disobedience means the discontinuance of all activities, and in particular: (1) Organised defiance of the provisions of any laws. (2) The movement for the nonpayment of land revenue and other legal dues. (3) The publication of news sheets in support of the civil disobedience movement.

(4) Attempts to influence civil and military servants or village officials against the Government, or to persuade them to resign their posts. In addition to the release of certain prisoners and the withdrawal of ordinances the Government agrees that fines not realised will be remitted. The additional police imposed in connection with the movement at the expense of the inhabitants of a particular area are to be withdrawn at the discretion of the local Government. Subject to certain qualifications, the Government undertakes to return moveable and immoveable property seized in connection with the movement.

The Government Is unable to condone breaches of the existing Salt Laws, nor is it able, in the present financial conditions, to make substantial modifications to the Act; but, to give relief to certain of the poorer classes, it is prepared to extend administrative provisions on the lines already prevailing in certain places. RECEPTION OF NEWS. INTEREST IN BUSINESS AND , * POLITICAL CIRCLES. ' • British Official Wireless RUGBY, March 5. Indian Government stocks, which rose on the Exchange yesterday, following the announcement of the IrwinGandhi agreement, continued the ascendant to-day. Prices also rose on the Bombay Exchange. A cable, signed by members of all Parties has been sent to Lord Irwin from the House of Commons expressing thanks and congratulations on his magnificent ,and successful efforts to bring peace, prosperity, concord and happiness to the peoples of India and Britain. Beyond paying tributes to the Viceroy, Mr Baldwin and Lloyd George reserved their comments on the Indian settlement. GOAL OF CONGRESS. United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 6, 9.55 p.[m.) CALCUTTA, March 6. Congress bodies throughout India are calling off the civil disobedience and no tax campaign. Mr Ganghi, in an interview, by the journalists said that it was impossible and unwise to say which had been the victorious party. Congress had never made any bid for victory. He paid a tribute to the Viceroy, saying that the settlement would have been impossible without Lord Irwin's inexhaustible and unfailing courtesy. The Viceroy had removed his suspicion and distrust. Congress was participating in the Round Table Conference, to achieve the goal of “Purma Swaraj,” which translated means, complete independence, towards which the help of all other parties and the ruling princes, as well as Englishmen, was absolutely uecessary.