INDIA’S NEW STATUS SHOWS FREEDOM OF THE CAMMONWEALTH

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 September 1950, Page 8

INDIA’S NEW STATUS SHOWS FREEDOM OF THE CAMMONWEALTH

PARLIAMENT BLDGS.. Last Night (PA)—"lndia's new Republican status demonstrates that the British Commonwealth is not a rigid structure but a free association based on common interests and common understandings and subject to growth as a result of mutual adjustments." This opinion on the recent constitutional changes is expressed in the annual report of the External Affairs Department, which was presented to the House of Representatives today. The report recalls that the Indian Prime Minister (Pandit Nehru) indicated that, although India intended to become a republic she was anxious to remain a member of the Commonwealth. “Acceptance of the Republic of India as an equal member of the Commonwealth and the realisation on all sides that common interests do. in fact, call for common understanding will, it is hoped, lead to effective collaboration on the new basis. Although notable developments in the constitutional structure of the Commonwealth have taken place, there has been no weakening in the spirit of friendly co-operation that has been increasingly characteristic of the Commonwealth connection," the report states. “Wherever possible, Commonwealth Governments have kept one another informed of the policies and lines of action that might affect the commonwealth as a whole." FAR EASTERN COMMISSION. Discussing the work of the Far Eastern Commission, the report says that the deterioration in the value of the Commission’s proceedings has become a matter of increasing concern to those member nations which, of necessity, retain a close and continuing interest in Japanese affairs. Its extended term of operation resulting -from an unforeseen delay in the con elusion of a peace settlement and the relative difficulty with which consequent modification's can be made in the earlier policy framework, as well as a growing divergence of the Soviet Union and other Commission members, have progressively reduced its effectiveness in determining current occupation policy. The right of the United States to take unilateral action in cases of urgency has been more frequently exercised and there has been a further extension of the administrative authority vested in the Supreme Commander. Because of accumulating difficulties the Commission's record of achievement during the year has been unimpressive.