INDIAN REFORM

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1918, Page 3

INDIAN REFORM

? PROPOSALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

!, I AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION Jj

i Xleceived, this day at 8.46 a.m. * LONDON, July 6. The report of the Committee of India; Constitutional reform is a bulky docu i ment. It contains proposals based oj investigations occupying nearly half tli i year, for carrying out the war and C’a i binet’s pledge to take substantial step: j in the direft of the gradual develop ' rnent of self-governing institutions, ir | view of, the progressive realisation : of responsible Government in India, u f lan integral part of the Empire. It it pointed out that the report, when published, will afford tho basis of discussion and criticism, so Government have not yet formulated -a conclusion on the proposals. The report candidly surveys the difficulies of the problem, and pays a tribute to tho Indian peoples hearty, genuine sympathy to the Allies cause, 111 stated our own and the American declarations of war aims gives a new force and vitality so the progressives demand for self-Govcrnment. Devolution will take the form of giving responßibility to certain subjects affording the most- opportunity of local knowledge and social service. Therefore it is proposed tho Executive Government, and all major provinces exclusive of Burma shall consist of two parts, one comprising the Governor and executive council of. two members, ono whereof is to be' an Indian, and the other comprisng, the Governor with one or more ninisters chosen from elected members

i oi me ijOgisia;tivo uouncn or each provj ince, which will have a substantial ma- ; jority of elected members, chosen on a r broad franchise. Tt is possible the con- ; tribution for maintenance of all Indian ! services will be first charged on pro- i vincial revenue. Provincial Govern- ' monts will administer the remaining revenue and also have limited powers of taxation and borrowing. What has hitherto been known ns the vice-Regai legislature be bifurated. The existing council will become the Legislative Assembly anr consist of about one hundred members, two thirds elected ,a«d the remained nominated by the Viceroy. A third of these nominees must be nonofficials. The second chamber will bo j a Council of State with the experience j and dignity of elder statesmen, and will !

participate in ordinary legislative business and be the final authority in matters which the Government regards as essential, ft- will consist of fifty mem-

bers whereof twenty one will be elected. Other proposals, include the establishing of a permanent council of princes to consider the questions affecting 'the Native States, and the appointment of a Commission to decide later surveys of the situation and judge what further devolution is possible. Other similar commissions will subsequently be. appointed at twelve years intervals

PRESS COMMENT. ; 'Received This T)av at 9.3 Y a'.ni.) LONDON, July G. The length of the Indian. Government report and complexity of the problems makes the newspapers chary of detailed criticism. ! The “Daily Chronicle” welcomes it I and says at the root, lies the principle that it is not- good to enlarge the machinery of the elected representatives unless the representatives are given the positions of definite responsibility. Hitherto Indian delegates have been mere critics. The new scheme lays stress that decentralisation begins at tho bottom, with the local Government. Tlib “Daily Telegraph” also welcomes the extension of the local Government and also the Council of princes, but says it must he remembered that India is not one community, any more than Europe is. The Sumlu Congress and Moslem League don’t represent the people. Only principle is holding tho conglomerate mass in allegiance to tho British power. The scheme has the merit of recognising that the ultimate decisive authority is the British Government. The “Morning Post’* says we dislike and distruct both the report and its chief author. The scheme proposes to undermine the foundations of British rule in India, which are the British Magistrate and Collectors. The “Daily News” says tlie report is one of the great state documents of the world. The prime necessity is to create an Indian electorate. The report faced the issues fairly.