PROBLEM OF INDIA

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21664, 26 February 1942, Page 6

PROBLEM OF INDIA

DECISION BY BRITAIN ? PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT (Omclai Wireless) (Received Feb. 26, 12.30 p.m.)

RUGBY, Feb. 25

Dealing with the Indian situation in the House of Commons today Sir Stafford Cripps gave indications of an impending Government decision on the problem of Government. He

said he was much concerned with the question of the unity and strength of India in the face of the dangers which now threatened India, and he fully realised it was important that Britain should do its utmost in the present circumstances to make a full contribution towards that unity. The Government hoped that a debate would be possible shortly upon the basis of the Government’s decision in the matter.

The question of colonial policy also had been raised. There was now a new Secretary for the Colonies who, he was sure, would reconsider the method of administration of the colonial policies. As far as the question of troops raised in India was concerned, manpower and training facilities were available. Difficulty had arisen over the question of equipment, and as soon as that could be supplied the number of troops could be increased. The industrial development of India was a matter which the Government regarded as of great importance, and although there were difficulties in view of the great effort of production that had to be made in Britain and other parts of the Commonwealth they promised to inquire into this matter with a view to seeing whether there was something necessary to be done in order to expedite that development.