Dear Sir

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 82, 24 July 1942, Page 4

Dear Sir

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the ugfhi to amend or withhold any letter of letters.* 9 INDIA Sir,- —I regret that your leading article of July 10th on India showed a complete lack of understanding of the Indian problem. You say that "The right of self expression has never been robbed of /our oured peoples within the K^Tnlye. Now this is a gross mis-statement when speaking of I'ndia. The Viceroy is the supreme lawfully constituted authority in India. He lis: answerable for his actions only to the British Cabinet and Parliament. He has power to veto or enact measures rejected by the Indian Legislative, and this power he uses frequently.

The present attitude of Congress is the natural result of the failure of the British Government to treat the aspirations of the Indian people realistically. Until the time arrives when the Government can show the Indian people that it really intends them to have their freedom I'm. afraid that Ghandi will continue to lead the masses in his futile passive resistance which will end in tragedy for both of us.

In conclusion let me recommend to your readers the statement of Mr Bertram Stevens, recently back from India in which he says that in the to: come the West would; have to regard the East in terms of ab-> solute equality. Yours etc., "DEMOCRACY FOR INDIA" (We thank our correspondent for his interesting letter, and would point out that our reference ori July 10th, was intended to illustrate the freedom of individual expression—witness, Ghandi and numerous others of his following, who have made the fullest use* of the freetlom of speech up and down the Indian Empire, and have built, thereon the great movement which would offer non-violence to any potential invader. It was our endeavour to compare this freedom with what other regimes have to offer the masses. However many thanks for further light. Ed.)