PROMISED TO INDIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 224, 21 September 1945, Page 5

PROMISED TO INDIA

PLAN FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT BRITISH POLICY OUTLINED Reed. 6 p.m. New Delhi, Sept. 19. “The British Government is determined to do its utmost to promote, in conjunction with the leaders of Indian opinion, early realisation of full self-government for India,’’ said the Viceroy, Lord Wavell, in a broadcast.

“His Majesty’s Government earnestly hopes that after the elections to the Central and Provincial Legislatures Ministerial responsibility will be accepted by the political leaders of all the provinces.

‘‘.His Majesty’s Government intends to convene as soon as possible a Constitution-making body, and has entrusted me, as a preliminary step, to undertake immediately after the elections discussions with representatives of the Legislative Assemblies in the

provinces to ascertain whether the proposals contained in the declaration of 1942 (the Cripps Plan) are acceptable or whether some alternative or modified scheme is preferred. Discussions will also be undertaken with representatives of the Indian States with a view to ascertaining in what way they can best take their part in the Constitution-making body.

“His Majesty’s Government is proceeding to consideration of the contents of the treaty which will require Io be concluded between Britain and India. "His Majesty's Government has further authorised me, as soon as the results of the provincial elections are published, to take steps to bring into beng an Executive Council which will have the support of the main Indian parties.' "This announcement means that His Majesty’s Government is determined to go ahead with the task of bringing India to self-government at the earliest possible date. His Majesty's Government, despite all its preoccupation, has taken time, almost in the Jirst days of office, to give attention to the Indian problem as one of the first and most important. That fact is a measure of the earnest resolve of His Majesty's Government to help India to achieve early selfgovernment.

"The task of making and implementing a new Constitution for India is a complex and difficult One which will require the good will, co-operntion, and patience of all concerned. I propose, after the elections, to hold discussions with representatives of those who are elected and of the Indian States to determine and form which the Constitution-making body should take and its powers and procedure. The 1942 draft declaration proposed a method of creating the Constitutionmaking body, but His Majesty’s Government recognises, in view of the great issues involved artd the delicacy of the minority problems, that consultations with the people’s representatives will be necessary before the form of the Constitution-making body is finally determined. “The above procedure seems to His Majesty's Government and to myself to be the best way open to us to give India the opportunity of deciding her destiny. We are well aware of the difficulties to be overcame, but we are determine to overcome them. The Government and all sections of the British people are anxious to help India, which has given us so much help in winning the war. I, for my part, wll do my utmost in the service of the people of India to help them to arrive at their goal, and I firmly believe it can be done. “It is now for the Indians to show that they have the wisdom, faith and courage to determine in what way they can be.t reconcile their differences and how their country can be governed by Indians for Indians.’’