CONFERENCE ON INDIA.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20094, 25 November 1930, Page 11

CONFERENCE ON INDIA.

REAL TASK TO COMMENCE. NEWSPAPERS TAKE HOPEFUL VIEW. (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, November 23. The Indian Round-Table Conference will begin its real work on Monday, when the first meeting of the Federal Relations Committee will set about the task of translating the general agreement which emerged from the five days' plenary session into practical proposals for submission, first to the Conference, and ultimately to Parliament. Comments by the Press. A hopeful view of the prospects is taken by the Press. "The Times" comments on the remarkable unanimity shown in the speeches. "Perhaps the most hopeful impression left by the debate is that t has at least placed abstract conceptions of status and federation 111 their proper order," the paper says. "Status is coming to be recognised as a matter of achievement, not of gift. There can be no progress in a discussion by any committee of details till the broad outlines of the structure are settled.

"The sceptics are asking already how long the great ideal of these few days will survive the next stages of conference; for, whatever else it may imply, there is no doubt that federation does mean a definite sacrifice on the part of all its members. The appointment of the vast Committee on Federal Relations may, however, be hailed for the moment as a welcome sign that the new idea predominates." "The Times" records two personal impressions of th 6 long discussion, first the spontaneous and prolonged applause which greeted every mention of the Viceroy (Lord Irwin), and, second that tho Prime Minister proved himself a tactful, sympathetic, and infinitely patient chairman. Problems That Kemain. The "Morning Post," while not undervaluing the power of words, says. "The problems of defence of the frontiers, the maintenance of law and order, the rights of minorities, and the protection of British interests remain. The federal proposal has, at least, the advantage of bringing in the princes, who are the stable and conservative element. But everything depends on the manner in which the principle is applied, and whether it can be reconciled with thore things which the Simou Commission rightly held essential." The "Manchester Guardian" says. "British policy in India since the war has been entirely consistent, and with sincerity declared Great Britain's firm intention that India should enjoy complete self-government within the Empire, reaching the ultimate aim by stages. Events have shown, however, a conflict between the British view, based on the necessity for gradualness, and India's demand for all or nothing. "The offer of the Indian princes to come at once into an All-India Federation has endeu this conflict, because they will introduce into the Legir 1 ture the element of balance, racial, religious, and political. The princes, however, will assuredly make conditions. The minority communities will demand safeguards, and the British Government will require some measure of control of the army and foreign affairs for the time being. The British Indian delegates have very definite ideas as to what constitutes a democratic institubut these difficulties are adjustable, and it is for the committee to adjust them." The "Daily Herald" says: "The Indian demand is a pikestaff, and it is for t v e committee to discuss not whether, but how, India can have full selfgovernment. It is a supremely difficult, but not insuperable task." The Princes' Conditions. The princes' delegation at the Conference had a further meeting yesterday, at which the position of the States was again considered. It is stated that for the present they decided not to place any detailed plan before the Federal Relations Committee of 1 Conference. The conditions upon _ which they would be willing to join with British India in tho Federation were clearly stated in the speeches at the plenary session. They were summarised by the "Observer" as follows: — First, the Crown shall remain. Second, the army and foreign affairs shall be left in the hands of tho paramount Power. Third. the States shall be eiven equal representation with British India. Fourth, their rights shall be clearly defined before federation. Fifth, a Federal Supreme Court shall be set up, which will decide all judicial disputes. In addition it was made clear that while the princes would not tolerate interference by the Federal authority in disputes between themselves and their subjects, they would be prepared to make important concessions, whereof th~ most important is their readiness to enter the Federation. The "Observer" says they also are prepared to concede that currency, tariffs, and railways should be regarded among matters of common concern to the States and the rest of India, which should be in the hands of tho Federal authority.