POLITICAL REFORM IN INDIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 249, 9 July 1918, Page 5

POLITICAL REFORM IN INDIA

THE COMMISSION'S REPORT

SCHEME OF DEVOLUTION •

(flee. July 8, 5.5 p.m.)

London, July 7, The report on the Government of India.'is a bulky document, and contains proposals which are based on investigations occupying nearly six months, and which carry out the War Cabinet's pledge to take substantial steps in the direction of the gradual development of , self-governing institutions, with a viewto progressive realisation of Responsible Government in India as,an integral part of the Empire. It is pointed out that

the- report as published will afford a. basis for discussion and criticism,, ,'flio, Government has not yet formulated'nn'y' conclusions on the proposals. One report candidly surveys difficulties of the problem, and pays a tribute to the hearty and genuine .sympathy of Iho people of India with the Allies' cause. It stale 3 that our own.and the American declarations of war aims have given new force and vitality to the Progressivisls demand for self-government., Devolution will take the form of giving responsibility to certain subjects and affording to most the opportunity for using their local knowledge in the < . interests • of social service.. Therefore, it is proposed that the Executive Government of all the major provinces, exclusive of Burma, shall consist of two parts: one comprising the Governor and an Executive Council of two members, one of whom shall be an Indian; the other oomnrisilut tho Governor, with one or moro Ministers, chosen from elected members. The Legislative Council in each province is to havo a substantial majority of elected members, chosen on as broad a franchise as possible. Contributions for the maintenance of all Indian services are to be a 'first charge on provincial revenues; the Provincial Governments are to administer the remaining revenues, and are also to have limited powers of taxation and borrowing. What has hitherto been known as the Vice-Regal Legislature will bo bifurcated. The existing Council will become the Legislative Assembly, to consist of about a hundred members, twothirds to be elected and Ibe remainder nominated by the Viceroy. A thir<jl of these nominees must be non-officials. The Second Chamber is to be the Council of State, with the experience and dignity of elder statesmen, and will bo the final authority on matters which the Government regards as essential. Tho Council will consist of fifty members, of whom twenty-one will be elected. Other proposals inchido the establishment of a permanent Council of Princes to consider questions affecting the native Stales, and tho appointing of a Commission ten years henco to survey the situation afresh and judge what further devolution is possiblb. Othor similar commissions will be set up subsequently at twelve-year intervals. "The time has now come," ttates the report, "when India's sheltered existence cannot bo prolonged without damaging her national life. The nationhood within tho Empire will-bo- something better than India has yet attained. The great task is lo call forth her capacity, self-reliance, and nationhood, instead of . her caste feeling. The committee has worked out a scheme with the object as far as possible of giving complete popular coutrol to local bodies, with the largest possible independence, and 6ecurin" a progressive realisation of responsible government of tho provinces, some measnro of which' should be granted the provinces forthwith, with a _ now to granting complete responsibility at the earliest possible moment. Tho Central Government uf India must remain responsible to the British Parliament, but with that exception its authority must remain .indisputable, ponding experience in the proposed changes m tho provincial constitutions. The oomnuttea emphatically lojeots tho argument that local self-government must wait until other reforms creato a, suitable atmosphere. They assort that Indian hopes and aspirations have been aroused to such a pitch that they cannot be appeased by a mere grant of control over urban and rural boards. Moreoror, tho development of tlio country has ;reached a stage at which a wider application of the principle of .self-government would . be justified. Government without tho ' neople's co-operation is becoming mereashgly diffloalt" The. franchise.rad composition of the provincial cgisla- . K are not detailed, but the retention , of communal electorates is :ecommonded for tho Mohammedans, where they we . in a minority, and a P r ovysion is made in regard to the Sikhs.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PRESS OPINION London, July 6. The length of the- report and the complexity of tho problems make the newspapers charv in giving' detailed criticism. The "'Daily Chronicle" wolcomes the report and Bays:—"At tho root lies tho principle that.it is. no good to enlarge tho machinery of elected'representatives unless the representatives aro given positions of definite responsibility. Hitherto Indian, delegates have boon moro critics. The new scheme lays stress on decentralisation, and begins at tho bottom with local government." ' The "Daily Telegraph - welcomes the extension of local government, and also , tho Council of Princes, but sayß that It must bo remembered that India is not ono community, any more than Europe is. Tho Hindu Congress.;'and the Moslem Leaguo do not represent tho people, but. only the principlo of holding a conglomerate mass in allegiance, to British power. Tho scheme has, the merit ot recognising the ultimate decisivo authority of tho British Government. 'The "Morning Tost" says:— Wo dislike and distrust both tho report and its chief author. Tho scheme proposes lo under' mine the foundations of British rule in India, which are the British majrfiitrato and tho collector." • Tho "Daily News" says:-'lhc report is one of tho great State documents pf tho world. The primo nocessitr is to create a real Indian electorate. The report has faced tho great issuo fairly. - Ans.-N.55. Oablo Assn.