FUTURE POLICY IN INDIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18834, 24 March 1931, Page 9

FUTURE POLICY IN INDIA.

Informal Conference. HINDU-MOSLEM PROBLEM. United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright DELHI, March 22. An informal conference was held at the Viceroy’s House, New Delhi, to explore the question of the future procedure for carrying on the work of the Round Table Conference. Mr Gandhi represented Congiess, and others present included the delegates to th Round Table Conference and representatives of the Indian States Congress. The position is that participation at the next London Conference is conditional on the settlement of the Hindu-Moslem problem. If a settlement is impossible, the British Government may intervene, and make a declaration on the question of safeguards for minorities.

Interviewed, Mr Gandhi said if Lord Sankey and Mr Wedgwood Benn regarded the safeguards evolved by the London Conference as final in substance and form, there was no use of Congress going to London, and the second conference as far as India’s masses are concerned, must fail. Mr Gandhi doubted whether the Hindu-Moslem question could be settled before the Congress session at Karachi on Friday. Mr Gandhi indicated that when he goes to London, Miss Madeline Slade, daughter of the late Admiral Slade, one of Mr Gandhi’s most ardent devotees, now known as Mirabai May, will accompany him. ATMOSPHERE AND CONSTRUCTION. SIR JOHN SIMON’S VIEWS. British Official Wireless RUGBY, March 22. Sir John Simon said two vitally important things to be aimed at were atmosphere and construction. Speaking of the Viceroy, he said his name would go down in history as one who had thrown the whole force of his personality and sincerity into this essential task. He pointed out the danger of misunderstanding until the task of construction was really taken in hand, and said just as it was impossible to deny progress towards the goal of responsibility, so it must be appreciated that what was spoken of as safeguards were not matters easily adjusted in detail, but were fundamental to the central structure. MR CHURCHILL CRITICISED. POSITION OF CONSERVATIVES. British Official Wireless RUGBY, March 22. Colonel Amery, late Secretary for the Dominions, at a Conservative meeting, vigorously criticised Mr Winston Churchill’s recent speeches on India, denying his right to speak for the Conservative Party. Colonel Amery said the Conservative Party was “Just as determined as Mr Churchill that any further Constitution can be acceptable only if it secures justice for every section of India and safeguards legitimate financial interests and the safety of India and the Empire, but unless and until events force us to an opposite conclusion we are prepared to believe that these essentials are more likely to be secured by cooperation and frank discussion than by irresponsible denunciations or speeches, whose eloquence is only matched by their remoteness from reality.”