INDIA’S NEW STATUS

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 April 1949, Page 5

INDIA’S NEW STATUS

REACTION OF THE COUNTRY Favourable But Not Enthusiastic (N.Z.P. A- Copyright.) LONDON, April 29 (Rec. 6 p.m.)— Indian reaction to the decision of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference in London is generally favourable, but not exactly enthusiastic, says “The Times” Delhi correspondent.

India’s new status as an independent republic within the Commonwealth is welcomed but some left wing organs express doubts about whether India can in practice maintain her independence in such matters as foreign policy.

Indian opinion, the correspondent adds, is naturally interested in the extent to which the London decision may influence the future constitutions of her neighbour States, Pakistan and Ceylon. So far there is no evidence that Republican sentiment- in either of these two countries is anything like as strong as it is in India, or that they will seek to follow India’s example. As for Burma, which is now outside the Commonwealth, there is speculation whether she will seek to profit by India’s realistic approach to Commonwealth relationship. “India has repudiated the Crown in that there will no longer be a King of India, but it has accepted the King as head of the Commonwealth. This is not so illogical as it might seem at first sight,’’ says the Manchester “Guardian,” which adds: “What India objected to was allegiance to the Crown. Allegiance has come in India to symbolise India’s former state of subjection. But if the King is thought of as the supreme officer of the Commonwealth the question of allegiance does not arise.”