INDIAN REFORM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 12, 28 July 1919, Page 5

INDIAN REFORM

EFFECT OF THE NEW BILL ,

A memorandum regarding the Rill to make further., provision with respect to the Government of India (East India, Government of India Bill), drawn up by the Secretary of State for India, was >- sued recently. It is laid down that-the Bill is presented to give effect, with certain modifications, to tho scheme of constitutional reforms recommended in the MontaguChelmsford Report, if, is to provide: 1. The gradual development of selfgoverning institutions in India ; . 2. The giving to the provinces, eoncurrently witli such development, the largest, measure of independence in provincial matters of the Government of India which is compatible with the due discharge by the latter of its own responsibilities. .

'It is pointed out that owing to tho magnitude and importance of the changes now proposed it has been found inexpediontffito follow in this Bill the precise form of amending legislation contemplated under the "printing clause" of the Government of mdia Act, 1915-IG. If the Bill passes in the form set out the result will be that the Act which' will govern the constitution of India will still be the Act of 1915-lfi, with the various provisions of the present Bill incorporated in it. By this means it is contended automata consolidation will be achieved. The Bill itself outlines the main features of tho constitutional changes, but leaves each changes to be worked out in detail in the form of rules.

it i 6 claimed that the now constitutional forms are expressly devised to fit tho conditions of a transitional stage. The process of development, it is said, woulc bo seriously embarrassed if the . whole system were made rigid. , The memorandum confirms the intention of the' Government (stated in tho House of Lords last October) to refer the Bill to a Joint Select Committee of both Houses. The Secretary of State will also lay the reports of the Southborongh Committees on Franchise and Functions before this Joint Committee, together with the two dispatches received from the Government of India -upon them, and will submit to them as well proposals as to tho policy to be followed in framing the rules!' ■

It is pointed out that the control of Parliament over tho exercise of the rulemaking power will be further secured by the provision contained in clauses 23 olid 30, whereby if either House of Parliament presents an address to His Majesty against any rule within thirty. sitting days after the rule has been laid Lefora it, the rule may bo- annulled. In Part I the method of local government is sot forth. It is in tho provinces that the chief constitutional changes are contemplated, and naturally tho first part of the Bill deals with tho provinces. And so the division of functions between the Central and the Provincial Governments are given in detail. Questions as to division of functions will not bo subject to legal decision. Tho new form is to I'fl based on the principle that the goal of responsible government is to be reached by a gradual transfer of responsibility to representatives of the people.. The eight provinces to which the new form of government will apply are:—Bengal, Madras, Bombay ( Bihar and Orissa. United Provinces, Punjab, Central Provinces, and Assam, Burma requires separate treatment. Details are given of the division of provincial subjects and the complex subjectlof finance is also covered.