India.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19463, 31 December 1934, Page 3

India.

Politically, India has been quiet 'during 1934. Trade has returned to a fairly satisfactory level and the budgetary 'position has also improved, due •largely to the continued overflow of gold that was being hoarded. Tho lack of sensational events .since the third Round Table Conference has been a happy augury for the peaceful working of the new Government. At the same time the collapse of (lie National Congress Party’s civil disobedience campaign cannot bo said to presage tho disappearance of flic party and its demands for home rule. Gandhi’s declaration that although he did not Intend to enter the Indian Legislative Assembly himself he would always he ready to assist ihc Swaraj

(Home Rule) party is welcomed not only by Ills (followers but by many of his" opponents. The India Report. During Hie past seven years a joint select committee of Parliament had sat in London charged with the. study of tim •Indian ■constitution preparatory to Ihc Introduction of the Constitution Rill. Their report was presented in November and met with a generally favourable reception. Nationalists in India were antagonistic lo the proposed reforms hut even thcro Hie proposals found considerable support. .More re-

eently Hie 'British Government’s Indian policy was endorsed by the 'Conservative Conference, and subsequently byboth Houses of Parliament. Early in Ihe year India was visited by a disastrous earthquake, probably the largest ever recorded. Damage, especially in the Bihar and Orissa lorrilones, was immense. The death roll aniuunled to only about 10,000, chiefly because tlie earthquake took place when many of tlie people, who are agneiillurisls, were out of doors. Crops suffered severely and a big area of country was devastated,