SITUATION IN INDIA CONTINUES TO IMPROVE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19134, 29 July 1930, Page 6

SITUATION IN INDIA CONTINUES TO IMPROVE

TRIBESMEN PROMISE GOOD BEHAVIOUR. (United Press Assn. — By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received July 29, noon.) RUGBY, July 28. The Government of India's appreciation of the position up to Saturday shows that in the North-West Frontier Province the situation in Waziristan continues to improve. Preliminary settlements with the Shabi Ivhel and Kikarai have been successfully concluded, these sections having given securit}’ in rifles for. their good behaviour and the liquidation of any fine the Government may impose. The Jirgas in other sections, except the Hazar Khel, who are procrastinating, also have come in with a view to a settlement and are depositing their rifles as security.

On the Peshawar border contingents of Afridis have ‘been moving about in the Orakzai country, following the decision of the Afridi Jirga to organise raids against the Government, pending its compliance with the demands of the tribes.

The internal situation continues, on the whole, to improve. The number of persons under trial and convicted persons of the Peshawar district, who were connected with the recent agitation, and who have been released on giving satisfactory undertakings for the future, now exceeds ISO.

In Bannu city the picketing of liquor shops by women continues and the rural situation in the district is somewhat less satisfactory.

In other parts of India there, have been several clashes between the jjolice and volunteers, mainly arising out of picketing but none were on a large

The following is a summary of the general position in the Provinces; There has been a definite decline in the movement in Bengal, Madras, Bchar and Orissa, Assam and Delhi, but student activity may give fresh encouragement. In the Punjab there has been a marked improvement during the past month, but the Sikh situation is still unstable. In the Bombay Presidency Gujerat continues to show signs of some improvement. The position in Bombay city is little changed. The movement had very serious effects on trade and business, and the industrial

outlook is gloomy. The movement has gained force in the Central Provinces, where it was late in establishing itself on a firm basis and the situation there has definitely deteriorated. Viewing the situation as a whole there are some indications of weariness and counter-propaganda having definite results. The Viceroy’s address to the Legislature has been favourably received in the Press and has undoubtedly strengthened moderate opinion in favour of constitutional methods.