HOPE TO FINISH UP NEXT MONTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19258, 20 December 1930, Page 1

HOPE TO FINISH UP NEXT MONTH.

INDIAN CONFERENCE COMMITTEES AT WORK. (United Press Assn.—By ElectrlTelegraph.—Copyright.) (Received December 20, noon.) RUGBY, December 19. The subcommittee of the Indian, Round Table Conference appointed to deal with franchise questions, held its first meeting, this afternoon, Sir W. A. Jowitt presiding. The procedure adopted in connection with other sub-com-mittees was followed, and a of possible heads of discussion was before members. The discussion, however, was of a general character to-day, and ranged over a wide field. It did not touch upon the questions of minorities, communal electorates, or special interests, for the chairman had pointed out that these subjects must be treated as within the special sphere of the Minorities Sub-Committee. Views were expressed on the practicability of the introduction of adult suffrage into India in the present circumstances, for example, difficulties due to illiteracy, poverty and lack of communications. Some members urged the desirability of increasing the representation of the rural areas, and mentioned the possibility of including elective systems for village communities. The General discussion had not concluded when the meeting ended. It will continue on Monday. Hopes are entertained that the Indian Round Table Conference may conclude its work by the middle of next month.

The British-Indian delegation, as a mark of their appreciation of the kindness and hospitality extended to them, are arranging the entertainment at a dinner of the British Government and other political and social bodies on January 13, which they hope will be the eve of their departure for India. The Federal Structure Sub-Commit-tee have entered upon detailed consideration of subjects and functions not already classified as Federal, and regarding which control is exercised. It was decided to appoint a sub-com-mittee to consider the lists of subjects referred to and to suggest their provisional division into three categories: (1) Those exclusively central, (2) those exclusively provincial, and (3) subjects in which the Centre and Provinces both are interested, and which, therefore, might be the subject of co-ordination.