INDIAN CONFERENCE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 125, 24 November 1930, Page 9

INDIAN CONFERENCE

HOPEFUL PROSPECTS

PRINCES AND FEDERATION

(British Official Wlrelui.) (Received 24th November, 10 a.m.) , BTJGBY, 23rd November. The Indian Bound Table Conference will begin its real work on Monday, when the first meeting of the Federal Relations Committee will' set about the task of translating the general agree-% ment which emerged from the five days' plenary session into practical proposals for submission, first to She Conference^ and ultimately to Parliament. A hopeful view of the prospects is taken by the Press. "The Times" comments on the remarkable unanimity shown in the speeches. "Perhaps the most hopeful impression left by the debate is that it has at least placed tho abstract conceptions of status and federation in their proper order," says "The Times." "Status is coming to be recognised asa matter of achievement, not of giftThere can be jio progress in the discussion of any committee over details till the broad outlines of the structure are settled. Sceptics are asking already how long a great ideal of these few days will survive the nexi. stages of the Conference, for whatever else it may imply, there is no doubt that federation does mean definite sacrifice on the part of all its members. Tho appointment of a vast Commitee on Federal Relations may, however, be hailed for'the moment as a welcome sign that the new idea predominates." "The Times'' records two personal impressions of the iong discussion: Firstly, the spontaneous,and prolonged applause which greeted every mention of the Viceroy, Lord Irwin; and, secondly, that the Prime Minister proved himself a tactful, sympathetic, and infinitely patient chairman. BRINGING IN '.rHB PRINCES. The "Morning Post," while not undervaluing the power of words, says: '^The problems of defence of the frontiers, the maintenance of law and order, the rights of minorities, and the protection of British interests remain. The federal proposal has at least the advantage of bringing in the Princes, who are ft stable and conservative element, but everything depends on the manner in which the principle .is applied and whether it can be reconciled with those things which the Simon Commission rightly held essential." The "Manchester Guardian" says: "The British policy in India since the war has been entirely consistent and, with sincerity, it dcclarqd the fiivin intention that India should enjoy complete self-government within the Empire, reaching the ultimate aim by stages. Events have shown that there is n, 'connict\betw-oen the British view, which is based on the necessity for gradualness, and the Indian demand for all -or nothing. The offer of, tho Indian Princes to come at once into an all-India Federation has ewflotl this conflict because they will introduce into the Legislature the element of balance —racial, religious, and political. Tho Princes, however, will assuredly make conditions, the minority communities will demand safeguards, and the British Government will require some measure of control of the Army and of foreign affairs. For the time being, the British; Indian delegates have very definite ideas as to what constitutes a democratic institution. But, these difficulties are adjustable and it is for the Committee to adjust them." The "Daily Herald" says that the Indian demand is a .pikestaff and it is for the Committee to discuss not whether, but how, India is to have full self-government. It is a supremely difficult, but not an insuperable task. PRINCES AND FEDBRATi6n. The' delegation of Princes to the Indian Bound Table Conference had a further meeting on Saturday, at which the position of the States, was again considered. It is understood that for the: present they have decided not to place any detailed plan before the Federal Belations Committee of- tho Conference. The conditions upon which they would be willing to join with British India in federation, were clearly stated in tho speeches'at the plenary session. They are summarised by "The Observer" as follows: — Firstly, that the Crown, shall remain. Secondly, that dhe Army and foreign, affairs shall bVi left in the hands of paramount Power. Thirdly, that the States shall be given equal representation with British. India. Fourthly, that their rights shall be clearly defined before Federation. Fifthly, that a Fedleral Supreme Court shall be set up T^hich will de- , cide all judicial disputes. In addition, it has been; made clear that while the Princes would not tolerate interference by a Federal authority in disputes between themselves and their subjects, they are prepared to make important concessions of which the most important is their readiness to enter the Federation. . "The Observer" says that they are alao prepared to concede that the currency, tariffs, and railways should be regarded among the matters of common cobiccrn to till States and the Test of India, which should be in the hands of the Federal authority.