THE INDIA BILL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20632, 5 June 1935, Page 9

THE INDIA BILL.

Three Principles of Report Intact. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received June 5, 1.45 p.m.) RUGBY, June 4. A further stage in the Parliamentary passage of the Government of India Bill was reached when, in the House of Commons the Secretary of State for India (Sir Samuel Hoare) moved the third reading. He congratulated the House on discussing, without the guillotine or closure, every feature of the incredibly intricate Bill. He said that the significant fact which emerged from the long debates was that the main structure of the Joint Select Committee’s report remained intact. Its three great principles—all India federation, provincial autonomy and responsibility with safeguards—had not been shaken or damaged. No new principle had been introduced in the Bill. 44 Good In Itself.” m I defend this Bill,” said Sir Samuel, 44 not so much because no one can produce an alternative scheme but because I believe it to be good in itself. I believe it is founded upon that majestic conception that should inspire all of us who believe in the traditional policy of the British Commonwealth of Nations. It might now be hoped that the Bill will pass in the comparatively near future and that when it is placed on the Statute book there will be no protracted delay in bringing it into operation.” He appealed to the critics of both Britain and India that when once the Bill become law they would join in a common effort to make the new constitution succeed.