Vital Constitutional Issue Solved By Prime Ministers

Chronicle (Levin), 28 April 1949, Page 5

Vital Constitutional Issue Solved By Prime Ministers

(N.Z.P.A.-

—Reuter,

Copyright)

Received Thursday, 10.25 a.m. LONDON, April 27. India is to continue to be a member of the British Commonwealth. This was decided at meetings of the Dominion } Prime Ministers. in London. ; "

The following statement was issued from No. 10 Downing Street today: "During the past week the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, Austraiia, New ZeaxanU, South Africa, India, Pakistan and Ceylon, and the Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs, have met in London to exchange views upon the important eonstitutional issue arising from India's decision to adopt a republican fonn of constitution and her desire to coniinue her membership of the Commonwealth."The discussions have been concerned with the effects of such a development upon the existing structure of the Commonwealth and the constitutional relations between its members. They have been conducted in an atmosphere of goodwill and mutual understanding, and have had as theii historical background the traditional capacity of the Commonwealth to strengthen its unity of purpose while adapting its organisation and procedures to changing circumstances. Declaration Issued. "Af-.er a full discussion, the representauves of all the Commonwealth countries have rgreed that the cone usions reaehed siiou'd be piaced on recoid in the followin,, dec'aration: — 'Tlie Governments of ihe United Kingdom. Canada, Austraiia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan and Cey on, Whose countries are united as members of the British Commonwealth of Nationo and owe common allegiance to the Crown, which is aiso ihe symbo of their free association, have considered the impending constitutional changes in India. "The Government of India has informed the other Governments of the Commonwealth of Ihe intention of the Indian people that under the new constitution, which is about to be adopted, India shail become a sovereign independent republic. The Government of India has, however, declared and affirmed India's desire to continue her full membership of the Commonwealth of Naticns and her acceptance of the King as the symbol of the free associaLion of its independent member nations and. as such. the head of the Commonwealth. "The Governments of the other countries of the Commonwealth, the basis of whose membership of the Commonwealth is not hereby changed, accept and recognisej India's continuing membership in

accordance with the terms of this declaration. Accordingly the Unitea Kingdom, Canada, Austraua, New Zeaiand, South Africa, Pakistan and Ceyion hereby declare that they remain united as free and equal members of the • Commonwealth of Nations, free'y co-oper-ating in ihe pursuit of peace, liberty and progress." These constitutional questions have been the sole subject of discussion at the meetings of the Prime Ministers. The Dominion Prime Ministers and Mr. Attlee saw tl}e King at Buckingham Palace this afternoon to inform him of the talks. They stayed three-quarters of an hour. Closer Understanding? South African observers in London beiieve that the contact between ihe Sou.li African Prime Minister, Dr. Maian, and the India i Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru, ai the meetings has paved the way for a closer understanding on Uie probJenis, mainly racial, which have kept South Africa and India apart. Dr. Malan was the luncheon guest of Pandit Ndhru today. This was the first time that » South African and Indian political leaders have met for three years. . The . Prime Ministers of India. Pakistan and New Zealand, and a representative of Ceyion, met a. No. 10 Downing Street this evening and had an informal discussion oi!* Burma with Mr. Attlee and the British Foreign Secreiary, Mi. Ernest Bevin. It is understood thai the Indian and Pakistan Prime Ministers presented a reques- 011 behalf of the Burmese Prime Minister that Britain shou d make 1 iirni statement of its policy towards Burma to sat-isfy many political elements in Burma who consider that the presenc British attitudcis obscure.