NEW CONSTITUTION FOR INDIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXV, Issue 19008, 16 October 1931, Page 9

NEW CONSTITUTION FOR INDIA.

Work of Special Committees VIEWS OF LEADING PRINCES. British Official Wlrclass r(Received October 15, 7.30 pm.> RUGBY, October 15. The Federal Structure Committee of the Indian Round Table Conference, further considered the report of its Finance Sub-Committee, and the discussion was adjourned until tomorrow. Sir Tej Sapree urged that the expert committee, on finance contemplated in the report, should be set up by the new Federal Government, which should take the final decisions. During the interim, special financial powers should be given the Governor-General-in-Council. Sir Akbar Hydari said the States hod not changed in their attitude, and federation was still their goal, but It was essential that the States should know in advance the full implications of the Federal finance scheme. Bar this reason, he opposed leaving it to the new Federal Government to set up an expert committee. His Highness of Bikaner reiterated his faith in federation, but they nraet know broadly the extent of their obligations. Sir Mirza Ismail, Prime Minister of Mysore, urged the total abolition of tributes from the Indian States. Mr Gandhi recommended that the report be referred back, and the subcommittee be asked, with the material at its disposal, to produce a minimum scheme, to which the States could agree, and defining, as far as possible, the sources of revenue, so that a start might be made with the Federation. Shafant Ahmed Khan said he was convinced the Federal scheme was not in danger, as the financial proposals report afforded a substantial foundation for future Federation work. Expert, franchise or other inquiries could be completed in twelve months, and in the meantime, existing conditions should continue. The Expert Committee should be appointed by the Crown, and its report, together with those other inquiries, considered later on in India.