INDIA'S STATUS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20101, 3 December 1930, Page 11

INDIA'S STATUS.

THE PROPOSED FEDERATION. BURMA TO BE SEPARATED. official wireless.) RUGBY, December 1. The sub-committees of the Indian Round-table Conference, appointed to consider the first and second heads of subjects, met this morning. It is stated that for the present the informal discussion for the adjustment of Hindu and Moslem views and relations, which has been proceeding for the past three weeks, has been discontinued. The Confeience to-day decided that a special committee be set up "to consider the nature of conditions which would enable Burma to be separated from India on equitable terms, and to recommend the best way for securing this end." This important decision was reached after the Burman viewpoint had been placed before tho conference by U Ba Pe. He said the wishes of the people of Burma were that their country should be separated from India. They felt that as part of India their national status was liable to disappear. They desired the fullest measure of self-government on an equal footing with the other self-governing Dominions, and under the same Crown. On the whole the people of Burma were satisfied that Bui ma should bo separated from India without further delay, providing for minority safeguards, either in the con stitution itself, or in instructions to the Governor, whichever may be found the best to meet the case, also making reasonable financial adjustments as bo tween India and Burma, and having a trade convention between the two countries.

He considered that Burma should have a constitution if possible at the same time as India, and thought it would be best to have another conference in London, to which would invited representatives of the various Parties and interests in Burma, some 15 to 20 in all, and would sit here, as the present conference sat, with representatives of the British Government.

During the discussion Mr C. Y. Chintamani, a British Indian delegate, expressed the view that the will of the people of Burma should bo a determining factor, but he did not think there was a unanimous desire for separation from India. Tho position of Indians in Burma would require careful consideration.

Lord Reading Baid there seemed to be a consensus of opinion favouring the separation of Burma, from India, there were many questions, such as finance, defence, and minorities, which could bo settled only by a special body set up for the purpose. The Maharajah of Alwar expressed full sympathy with Burma's request for separation. Lord Pec! said that when he was recently in Burma he found a strong and widespread desire for separation from the Indian Empire. The Prime Minister (Mr Ramsay MacDonald) as chairman, interpreted the desire of the conference as for a committee which should not attempt to draft a constitution for Burma, but should take note of certain conditions which had to be met in the 'process of separation. It should further recommend how that process could be best carried out, whether by a committee, a commission, or anything else.

lie then proposed terms of reference to which thero was general assent. Consideration in Committee. The Conference in committee continued the examination of the heads of subjects. Four heads, namely the component elements of federation, the type of Federal Legislature, and the number of chambers constituting it, the powers of the Federal Legislature, and the con struction, character, powers, and responsibilities of the Federal Executive, were referred to the Federal Structure Sub-Committee. The powers of the Provincial Legislatures, and the constitution, character, powers, and responsibilities of in-c-ial Executives were referred to the Second Sub-Committee. The Third Sub-Committee was given the task of considering the provision to bo made to aecuro the willing co-oper-ation of minorities and special interests.

Headings dealing with the membership of the Federal Legislature, and the method whereby representatives from British India and the Indian States are to be chosen, were held over, since action on these matter? is in a measure drpordent on the work done on the questions before the Federal Structure Sub-Committee.

Questions relating to defence forces, the Supreme Court and its jurisdiction, and the relations of the Federal and Provincial Executives to the Crown were also left over until the sub-com-mittee had reported on specific subjects.

SITUATION IN INDIA. CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT REPORTED. (BBITISn OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, December 1. In its weekly appreciation of the situation, the Government of India recorded continued improvement throughout the country. The RoundTable Conference proceedings were continuing to attract great attention, and the developments so far were generally regarded as hopeful. "The presentation of India's aspirations by the Indian delegates is much appreciated, and in many quarters there is recognition of the sympathetic trend of British opinion," stated the report. "The disposition to explore the various avenues of approach to the general problem is more in evidence, but there is a natural reluctance to express even qualified approval of anv particular scheme until the details are disclosed, and the implications fully comprehended."

BOYCOTT OF BRITISH GOODS. RUGBY, December 1. In a Parliamentary answer, Mr W. Benn (Secretary of Stnte for India) said the strength of the boycott of British goods in Indin varied greatly in different plnces, mul from time to time. Cotton goods lind been more severely boycotted than others. The boycott was now weakening over fndia as a whole, but was still effective in Bombay.

INSPECTOR OF POLICE SHOT.

DELHI, December 1. An Indian Inspector of Police was fatally wounded as the result of a shooting incident at Chandpur station, 246 miles from Calcutta. Two young men on a train fired shots at Inspector Tarini Mukherji, who died on his way to hospital. The other police immediate!}' opened fire, but the men escaped.