CONFLICT OF POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1932, Page 7

CONFLICT OF POLICY

CONGRESS AND GOVERNMENT

SITUATION SURVEYED

(British Official Wireless.) (Received sth January, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, -Ith January. The arrest of Mr. Gandhi, on whose advice the Indian Congress has determined upon a renewal of the civil disobedience movement, indicates that firm action is to be taken to preser « order in India. It is authoritatively stated that the Government of India, with the full approval of His Majesty's Government, will use all its statutory powers to combat what is in effect a challenge to the Government in carrying oi-t its most elementary responsibilities. The ground for the action of Congress, apart from the Prime Minister's announcement at the end of the Kouud rTable Conference, which Congress regards as wholly inadequate, but which was accepted by the Bound Table Conference itself as promising further fruitful negotiations, are the Ordinances which the Government of India has recently put into force to cope with the grave emergencies in three provinces. The Bengal Ordinance gives the Provincial Government the powers necessary to_ protect its officials and the public against a widespread and dangerous terrorist conspiracy. In the North-west Frontier Province a movement aiming at complete independence is in being, seriously endangering peace and order within the province, and gravely imperilling defences of India at a most critical point. Its leaders rejected the proposals of the British Government for a constitutional advance in the province, though these proposals had the approval of all parties at the Round Table Conference, and to further their ends they are endeavouring to exploit the economic distress and to embroil the unstable and warlike tribes of the frontier. Special measures in both provinces are clearly necessary so long as such activities last. . ' • OBNOXIOUS ORDINANCE. In the United Provinces a campaign has been set on foot by local branches of Congress with tlie object of inducing the peasantry, who make up the great bulk of the population, to withhold their rents, out of which a largo part of Government levcnuo is paid. Hero again economic distress is being exploited. But the United Provinces Government has fully recognised the difficulties of the cultivator arising from the world-wido fall in prices, and on the recommendation of a committee, consisting mainly of elected representatives of the agricultural classes in the Legislature, agricultural rentals in the province have been adjusted generally to the level ruling in 1901, when the price level was the same as in tho past year. This measure has meant a sacrifice of no less than £800,000 per annum of revenue by the United Provinces Government at a time when its resources arc otherwise seriously strained. CASE AGAINST CONGRESS. The main case against Congress, however, is that it is iv effect trying to set itself up as a parallel Government, and is not only obstructing every measure taken by the Government to maintain law and order, but is also endeavouring to make constitutional reform and the work of the Round Table Conference abortive. On the rejection of its claim to a co-ordinate service in the Government of India Congress has set itself to enforce its claim by open instigation of the people to break the law and resist its operation. The end in -view is to bring government in India to a standstill. The assumption is made by Congress that ignorant peasantry can be taught to defy the law without departing from the ideal of non-violence. But history shows that outbursts of violence which spare no class or creed are- the inevitable consequence of such teaching. POLITICAL ADVANCE. Protective and decisive measures against the leaders of such, a movement are regarded as imperative, but the Government is equally determined not to be diverted from the policy of political advance for India, which, was pointed out in the Prime Minister's statement at the consultation at the Round Table Conference. The three committees foreshadowed in that statement will embark for India on 15tli January to pursue the inquiries necessary for the completion of the constitutional plan. The Consultative Committee of the Round Table Conference is being set up in India to examine other aspects of the problem. Mr. Gandhi's name was included in the list of its members. It is the considered policy of the British Government to pursue steadily the plan of_ negotiation with the object of obtaining the greatest measure of agreement on constitutional questions, and to bring to their consideration every leader of Indian opinion who is willing to co-oporate. Whilst an alternative constitutional organism is being brought into existence, the Government will carry out without hesitation its responsibilities for order in India, and call for the support of every Indian who desires to guard his country from, widespread disorder and misery.