CONFERENCE ON INDIA.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20108, 11 December 1930, Page 11

CONFERENCE ON INDIA.

PROGRESS OP COMMITTEE WORK. THE SEPARATION OF BURMA. (BBITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, December 9. gam very satisfactory progress has been made by the sub-committees at the llound-Tabla Conference. Tho Lurma Sub-Committee has now authorised its chairman (Lord Russell) to embody Us conclusions in a report or presentation to the main committee next week. The general sense of the sub-com--0( 3. was expressed in a resolution asking that the liritish Government should make a public an nouncenient regard my lts P a cceptan£e °l t. ' jrj , llcl f ue °f separation, and stating that the prospoets of the constitutional udvanco ol Uurrna, as part of British India, toward responsible bovornmoiit, Vill not be piejudiced by the separation of the two countries. It should he explained in this oonnexion that the Government preserves an open mind regarding the nature of Burma & future constitution, and the matter will bo considered' by a RoundTable Conference, which, it has been suggested, should meet in London for 1 l • P^ r Posfi at a. later date, and at which, it is contemplated, representatives of all classes and interests in Burma would have a chance to express ireely tueir opinions on the constitutional issue. The committee confirmed the conclusions provisionally adopted at an earlier meeting on the protection of minority interests, the financial settlement between India and Burma, Burmese defence, the administration by Jiurma of subjects not classed as central in the devolution of rules, the rontinuod use by Burma of certain scientific services of the Government of India, and the desirability of a trad* convention between the two countries Indian Federal Legislature. In the Federal Structure for India Sub-Committee, the creator part of the time was occupied by an important discussion on federal legislation. The Princes further explained their views, emphasising that they, like their follow Indians, had only one idesLl. namely, a united India, with government of India by the Indians. Hitherto the States had shown preference for a general Federal Legislature. They have now announced that if one House is unacceptable to British India they are prepared to accept the principle of two Houses, and British India could take her choice. On the assumption that there will be two Houses, the States would come into both, but as equal co-partners, desiring an equal voice. In the event of a dispute, and a consequent joint session between the two Houses, the States asked that the matter be settled by a majority of not less than 75 per cent. Although the States are unprepared to part with their sovereignty, they did not expect the Provinces to part with uniformity in legislation. The question thus shapes itself, how to preserve uniformity in legislation without damaging the States' sovereign rights P The suggestion of the Princes was that laws passed by the Federal body should- be ratified by the respective State Legislatures. The States had been enacting their own laws, and it was therefore a matter for settlement whether.they should have a chance of passing' legislation themselves. What amounted to a pledge was given that these Federal laws would in fact be passed by the States. Such a procedure has not, however, appealed to the British Indian delegates, and the matter has been left open. In the view of the sub-commits tee the Federal Legislature should be considered the primary Legislature in India, constructed and constituted in relation to the federated units. The opinion was expressed that policy and legislation were the main directions in which the utmost power should be given to the Federal Government. Regarding administration the States took the view that the Federal Government would be confined to tne exercise of general supervision, .and the hope was expressed that there would be no residual subjects, in the sense of their being central British Indian as distinct from Federal subjects. The Executive, The sub-committee is now virtually ready to begiu the discussion of the difficult question of the constitution, character, powers, and responsibilities, of the executive, and will probably take up this subject early next week. It is generally agreed ( that th e + _ procress made has been highly eatisfactory, beyond the expectations of the delegates a week ago. The Provincial , Constitution Subcommittee, during to-day's meeting, discussed whether a Second Chamber be set up by statute, or left ,to the individual chqice of the Provinces, and the general sense was in favour of the l " The committee has adjourned until Friday, when the draft report will be considered preparatory to f P™® e £**V e °" to the general meeting of the Conferee next week. ,

THE WEEKLY REVIEW.

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE ■ MOVEMENT. (BBITISH CmOUl WIBELEBB.) RUGBY, December .9. The Government of India's weekly review Of the situation in India says: Hope alternates with an * l ® t { i a ® the outcome of the Round-Table , ference, but the feeling is growing that it represents a very important constructive effort, meriting the goodwill of all who have the interests of events in India, the review says: In the United Provinces the agitation is more or less nor and meetings and processions have lost much of their pi In the countryside the people * frinndlv. but anxious, as in otiier provinces, about th. difficult, ot »U- ---'°?„ l ßihar th. civil d.»-tfjr-SrSLTSJSS.'SK EL J? burred in Bombay and Karachi

OFFICER SHOT ON PARADE. NATIVE SOLDIER'S CRIME. DELBJI, December 9. Captain McClenaghan was shot dead on parado this morning by Gurraj, an lance-oorporal of the Punjab Regiment, stationed at Lahore. It appears that Captain. McUenatrhan refused to pass Gurraj ma test IS the wa* commanding a

squad, replacing him with a sergeant. Enraged at his supercession, Gurraj shot the sergeant dead and then Captain McClenaghan. The troops on parade fired at Gurraj, but missed, and Gurraj turned his rifle on himselr, committing suicide.

FIVE ARRESTS MADE.

MURDER OF POLICE OFFICIAL. DELHI, December 9. Five young Bengalis have been arrested at Dacca in connexion it is understood, with the murder of Lieu-tenant-Colonel T. C. Simpson, Inspector-General of prisqns, yesterda|'he two assailants, who shot themselves after yesterday's outrage, are in a critical condition. Lieutenant-Colonel Simpson was buried with military honours this afternoon.