BIG ADVANCE MADE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 88, 8 January 1935, Page 9

BIG ADVANCE MADE

Major Attlee on India

Report MIGHT HAVE GONE FURTHER (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, January 5. In the second of a series of controversial broadcasts on the problem of India Major Attlee, Labour M.P., criticised the proposals of the Joint Select Committee for Indian reforms on the ground that there was hot a greater approach to the full satisfaction of Indian aspirations.

Nevertheless, he added, It must be recognised that the reforms now recommended constituted a very big advance over the present system of Government. In the Provinces, although much depended on the spirit in which the reserved powers of the Governor were exercised, Indians would have in 11 Provinces control over nine-tenths of what concerned ordinary citizens, and they would have powers of selfgovernment comparable to those enjoyed by the citizens of most democratic States. At the centre an All-India Federation, a prerequisite to full selfgovernment, was constituted and the principle of responsibility was conceded.

It would be a mistake to lose sight of what had been gained in regrets for what was withheld. They might all hope that in spite of disappointment Indians would take full advantage of their wider opportunities of self-gov-ernment, making the. successful working of the new Constitution an irresistible argument for its completion.

Further speakers in the 8.8.C.’s series will be: January 8, Sir George Schuster; January 11, Lord Lloyd; January 15, Lady Layton ; January 18, Sir John Perronet Thompson; January 22, the Rev. C. F. Andrews; January 25. Mr. Isaac Foot, M.P.; January 29. Mr. Winston Churchill: February 1, Mr. George Lansbury; February 5. Mr. Stanley Baldwin.