INDIAN SITUATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 111, 13 May 1931, Page 7

INDIAN SITUATION

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS STATEMENTS BY M INISTER [British Official tireless.] RUGBY, May 11. Various aspects of the situation in India were dealt with in answer to questions in the House of Commons today by Air Wedgwood Benn, who said that the resolution of the Manchester Royal Exchange regarding the Indian boycott and Indian import duties had been communicated to the Governcnt of India, whose first step would be to investigate the complaint. Replying to tho question of pieketinfi, Mr Benn said that tho Government of India recently reported that picketing was much reduced, but there were signs of its revival in some places. Although complaints of objectionable methods were decreasing, a few were still being received. With occasional exceptions tho picketing was not aggressive. The latest information regarding the rebellion in Burma was contained in a statement presented by Air Benn, which stated that in tho Tharrawaddy, Insoin and Hcnzada districts conditions continued to improve, tho rebels avoiding contact with the Government forces and columns which are endeavouring to hunt down two or three largo gangs, which are still believed to be hiding in the jungles. The principal trouble in these districts is tho number of small dacoites, carried out by small gangs. The situation in the Promo district to tho oast of tho Irrawaddy River, in which seven of a party of ten civil police, including District-Superintend-ent Austin and an inspector were, it is feared, killed, is still uncertain, but the rebellion is said to bo confined to about four villages. Further miltary police and troops have been sent to Promo. Tho number of rebels killed since the beginning of the rebellion is probably over 1000. About 2000 have been captured, including villagers rounded up on suspicion, of whom the majority have been released.

The casualties on the Government side are not yet known with complete accuracy. Ono district superintendent, one deputy superintendent, and an inspector have boon killed or are missing, and one district superintendent, two British officers, uno surgeon, and one subadar have been wounded. Of the othe r ranks about 15 have been killed and a small number wounded. The number of head men and villag ers killed by the rebels is probably about 100.

Tho forces at present in operation against the rebels in nil of the districts total 1100 military police and two battalions of infantrv.

A complicating factor in the situation is the spread of communal feeling against the Indians in Lower Burma. Precautionary measures are being taken to deal with any eventualities.