GANDHI’S STAND IS DEPRECATED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 3 January 1930, Page 9

GANDHI’S STAND IS DEPRECATED.

NEWSPAPERS DISCUSS LAHORE CONGRESS. NO CHANGE IN BRITISH POLICY IS NOW LIKELY. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received January 3, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, January 2. The proceedings of the Indian Congress concluded yesterday, and “ The Times,” in a leading article, says:— “ The formal outcome of the hubbub at Lahore is that the three main propositions were carried, not without confusion, by the persuasive eloquence of Mr Gandhi. In the first place members of the Congress Party reject the offer of participation in the London Conference and pronounce their goal to be the complete independence of India. In the second place they are called upon to boycott the existing central and provincial legislatures, to take no part in future elections, and to resign such seats as they may hold at present. In the third place, they authorise their committee, whenever they deem fit, to launch a programme of civil disobedience, including a general refusal to pay taxes. “ Whether this platform is likely to strengthen them, even as an Indian political party, must be regarded as very questionable. Meanwhile one of th# first results has been the emergence iii force of the Liberals, meeting in a simultaneous congress at Madras, who have lost no time in welcoming the London Conference, have recognised publicly the rights of the States in a greater united India, and have roundly deplored the turmoil in which the cry of independence must involve their country. The growth of allegiance is certain to be more rapid as the enthusiasms of Lahore grow cooler and its quarrels and personal difficulties more apparent. “ It is sufficient for the moment to note that the actual terms of M. Srinavasa Sastri’s resolution, tabled at Madrid—a constitution based on Dominion status and subject to such safeguards and reservations as may be necessary for the period of transition—are not, after all, incongruous in principle with the declared purposes of British statesmanship. What really matters most is that for the first time there seems to be some prospect of an organised force emerging in Indian politics with a sense of realities and a determination to face them.” The “ Manchester Guardian ” also expresses the view that, the Lahore Congress having decided to base its policy on emotions and ideals and to ignore facts, the Indian moderates hr.ve a chance of regaining control of India’s course. At Madras they were urged to take it by Mr Sastri, whom India respected more than any other statesman, hardly excepting Mr Gandhi himself. The “ Guardian ” urges the moderates, who have many distinguished leaders, to organise early with a policy that is likely to yield practical results by securing the co-operation of the British Government. The Labour newspaper, the “ Daily Herald,” says that Mr Gandhi and his colleagues have made a singularly foolish blunder in committing the Lahore Congress to a futile policy of mere negation. “ The policy of the British Government and of the Government of India in the face of the congress resolution is clear. Nothing which has passed at Lahore calls for even the slightest change. The goa* has been declared. The new spirit which Mr Benn and Lord Irwin have brought into Anglo-Indian relations and into the methods of Indian government remains. The invitation to the Indian leaders stands. There will b no deflection either to the right or the left. If, indeed, there are, on the part of the more irresponsible elements, outbreaks of violence or of defiance of law, they will be dealt with firmly; but firmness in maintaining order will be accompanied by an equal firmness in adhering to the policy of friendship, conciliation and of steady perseverance on the path to self-government.” The “ Herald ” urges Mr Gandhi to reflect before the decision to refuse to take part in achieving a new constitution for India becomes irrevocable. DEMONSTRATIONS WILL BE HELD ON JAN. 26. (United Press Assn.—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright.) z (Received January 3, 1.30 p.m.) DELHI, January 2. Despite the order of the Congress Committee at to-day’s meeting calling for the withdrawal of members from the assembly and the councils, it is uncertain whether the mandate will be generally obeyed. January 26 has been fixed as Independence Day, for the holding of demonstrations throughout the nation supporting the new congress.