PROBLEMS IN INDIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 61, 13 March 1942, Page 5

PROBLEMS IN INDIA

MISSION OF SIR STAFFORD CRIPPS

TO DISCUSS SCHEME WITH LEADERS (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright J London, March 31. An important statement about India was made to-day in the House of commons by the Prime Minister, who announced that the British War Cabinet had agreed unitedly upon conclusions for present and future acticn, and that Sir Stafford Cripps, Lord Privy Seal, would go to India shortly to discuss them with the Indian leaders. Air. Churchill added that the (iovernnient believed that the conclusions represented a just and final solution, but he thought it would be unwise at the moment to announce the terms until they knew the scheme would be given the necessary measure of assent by all the central elements in India. A similar statement I was made in the House of Lords by Lord CTanborne.

1 .Mr. Churchill said 'that tin j crisis in the affairs of India arising out of the Japanese advance had made it necessary to rally all the forces of Indian life to guard the country against the menace of the invader. In August, 1940, a full statement was made aoout the aims and policy Britain was pursuing in India. 'lms amounted, in short, io a promise that as soon as possible alter tne war India should attain Dominion status in luff freedom and equality with this country and the other Dominions under a constitution to be framed by the Indians by agreement among them.si j\ es and acceptable to the main elements in Indian national life. This was., of course, subject to the fulfilment of Britain's obligations to protect all minorities, including the depics.w I classes, of her treaty obligations to the Indian States, and the settlement oi ceriain lesser matters arising out of her long asociation with the fortune-) of the Indian sub-continent. However, in order to close these general declarations with perception and to convince all classes, masses, and creeds in India by Britain’s sincere resoiv •. UnWar Cabinet had agreed unitediv upon conclusion for present and future action, which if accepted by India as a whole, would avoid the alternative dangers either that resistance of a powerful minori'.y mi .iit impose an indefinite veto upon the wishes of the majority, or that a majority decision might be taken which would be insistent to a point destructive to internal harmony and fatal to the setting up of a new Constitution. Self-Government Aim. Mr. Churchill said they had thought of setting forth immediately the terms of this attempt at a strong contribution to aid India in the realisation of full self-government, but they were apprehensive lest a public announcement at such a moment as this might do more harm than good. The Government must firm assure itself that its scheme would win a reasonable and practical measure of acceptance and thus promote the concentration of all Indian thought and energi'-s upon the defence oi’ the native soil. It would ill serve the common cause if a declaration was made that would Krejected by essential elements in the Indian world and which would provoke fierce communal disputes at the moment the enemy was at the gates of India. Mr. Churchill went on to say that it was proposed to send a member of. I he War Cabinet to India to satisfy himself on the spot, by personal consultation, that the conclusions upon which they were agreed and which they believed represented a just and final solution would achiev ' their purpose. The Lord Privy Seal, Leader of the House, had volunteered to undertake this task. Ho would carry with him the full confidence of i-lw Government, and ho had in the name of the Government, to secure the necessary measure of assent not only from the Hindu majority but also from those great minorities amongst which the Moslems were the most numerous and on many grounds preeminent. The Lord Privy Seal would at the same time consull with the Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief upon the militarv situation, always bearing in mind the paramount responsibility of His Maj 's! v's Government, bv every means in its power, tn shield the people of India from the perils- which beset them. India’s Part in War Struggle. It had to be remembered that. ' India had a great part to play in the world struggle tor freedom, ana help must be extended in loyal comradeship to follow the Chinese people, who had fought alone for so long. It had to be remembered, also, that India was one of the bases from which the strongest counterblows must be struck at the advance of tyranny and aggression. The Lord Privy Seal would set. out as soon as it was convenient and a.-: soon as suitable arrangements could be made. Mr. Churchill said he was sure Sir Stafford Cripps would command in his task the heartfelt good wishes of all parts of th'- House and no words would be spoken or deiiates be held in England or in India Io ad I to the burden he had assumed ir h;s mission or lessen the prospects of a good result. Mr. Churchill ended by saying that

in the Lord Privy Seal’s absence his duties as Leader of the House of Commons would be discharged by the I Foreign Secretary. 1 Replying to a question, the Prime jMini.stcr said that the discussions by iSir Stafford Cripps in India would iproceed on the basis of the new conclusions arrived at by the War Cabi- | net. The Viceroy of India has extended I a welcome to the forthcoming mission of Sir Stafford Cripps. Mr. Jinnah, president of the Moslem League, said he had no statement to make vet, but he announced that the league would meet to consider the new situai tion LONDON COMMENTS MEASURE OF IMPORTANCE Rugby, March 11. ! The Government’s decision to send Sir Stafford Cripps to India is regardled in London as a measure of importance of Indian questions in the immediate future, particularly as it is considt red that tasks of magnitude and urgency await him at. home. After pointing out that Sir Stafford starts with the advantage of a long personal friendship with many of India’s most beloved leaders, the : Evening Standard adds: “As in all our affairs at this fateful moment in the war, speed is a governing virtue. The Japanese v/ait for no man. At any moment. India may be called upon to give h r answer to an onslaught of barbarians in the same long sacrifice which was extorted from the Chinese. Let India know in the most emphatic terms that we stand with her in her trial, no' as overlord, but as a trusty [partner and ally.” * The Evening News says that both Sir Stafford Cripps and the Indians themselves will be working against time. The Japanese will not wait on [conferences. Unless the quarrels botween one cre?d and another can he set aside, and unless Britain is oponlv recognised as India’s true friend, then India may go the way of Singapore. Java, and Burma. The Star says that. Sir Stafford Cripps’ greatest la.sk will be to convince .<ll sections of Indian opinion that the first essential for future liberty is to concentrate on the dej fence of their soil.—B.O.W. SCHEME IN TWO PARTS (Reed. 9.50 p.m.) London, March 12. i According to the Daily Mail the ! Government's Indian scheme falls i into two parts: Firstly, an immediate measure of constitutional reform givi ing Indian politicians greater responi sibilitv as a token of British slncer- ' ily. and. secondly, precise proposals : lor the establishment of full Dominion status within a stated period after the war. ASIATIC CHARTER ADVICE TO UNITED NATIONS Washington, March 10. j A warning that if the Asiatic millions were not assured post-war social I and economic justice they might be I converted by Japan into foes of the United Nations was given by Mr. Joaquin Elizalde. Resident Commis- | sioner for the Philippines, in a broadcast. He urged a charter, similar to the I Atlantic Charter, to cover all Asiatics. I The United Nations should hold out a a promise of a free democracy to the Asiatics as an inducement to join in the light against the Axis. The United Slates had offered the I Filipinos their freedom, and as a re--1 suit was now being repaid by their I devotion and loyalty. INDIAN UNITY URGED New Delhi, March 11. In a stirring call to action addressed to Indians, the Viceroy announced that ail men and women in India, irrespective of politics, religion, or race, will be invited in the [ next, few weeks to enrol in the I National War Front. "Close your ranks and stand 'shoulder to shoulder against the aggressor, whose conduct in the couni tries lie has outraged brands him.har- ■ barous and pitiless,” the message I stated.