Statement From Downing Street Outlines The New Set-Up

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 April 1949, Page 5

Statement From Downing Street Outlines The New Set-Up

The following statement was issued from No. 10 Downing Street yesterday: “During the past week the Prime Ministers oi the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan and Ceylon, and the Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs, have met in London to exchange views upon the important constitutional issue arising from India’s decision to adopt a republican form of constitution and her desire to continue her membership of the Commonwealth. “The discussions have been concerned with the effects of such a development upon the existing structure af the Commonwealth and the constitutional relations between its members They have been conducted in an atmosphere of goodwill and understanding, and have had as their historical background the traditional capacity of the Commonwealth to strengthen its unity of purpose, while adapting its organisation and procedures to changing circumstances. After a full discussion the representatives of all the Commonwealth countries have agreed that the conclusions reached should be placed on 1 ecord in the following declaration: ' The Governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan and Ceylon, whose countries are united as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations and owe common allegiance to the Crown, which is also the symbol of their free

association, have considered the impending constitution changes in India. The Government of India has informed the other Governments of the Commonwealth of the intention of the Indian people that under the new constitution which is about to be adopt&d, India shad become a sovereign, independent i epublie. The Government of India has, however, declared and affirmed India’s desire to continue her full membership of the Commonwealth of Nations and her acceptance X the king as a symbol of the free association of its independent member nations, and as such the head of the Commonwealth.

FREE, EQUAL MEMBERS. The statement continues: “The Governments of other countries of the Commonwealth, the basis of whose membership of the Commonwealth is not hereby changed, accept and recognise India's continuing membership in accordance with the teitns of this declaration. Accordingly, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Ceylon hereby declare that they remain united as free and equal members of the Commonwealth of Nations, freely co-operating in the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress. t These constitutional questions have . been the sole subject of discussion at I full meetings of the Prime Minis- ! I ters.”