GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1927, Page 4

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

si atitokVTo.m:mission. (.Australian ifc N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. Nov. 10. In tbc House of Lords the Karl of Birkenhead, Secretary of State for India, moving the second reading of a Statutory Commission for India, requested the postponement of a lull dist ussion till the personnel of the commission has been considered.

Fortunately, within the past two or three years, there had been a change of tone and temper in India in the direction of improved relationship wiLlt the British. lie thought that all British parties, therefore should agree that the time had come to approach the greatest constitutional problem which had faced British statesmen for many general ions.

Lord Birkenhead asked the House to pass the Bill, promising a general debate later.

Lord Reading, a former Viceroy, approved of the decision to ante-date the appointment of a Commission, lint said that everything had conspired to give ft an unfavourable reception in India.

Lord Arnold supported the Bill on behalf of Labour, reserving his comments till the Bill was rend a second time.

Sir Jlion Simon, who is chairman of the fndiaii Statutory Commission, said recently, in a letter to the Liberal Party in bis constituency: “If the luture of India is to ho one of peaceltd progress, as all men of goodwill both in India and in (treat Britain intensely desire, this can come about only by the action of the British Parliament. combined with the co-opera-tion of India itself. Both of these are provided for by a scheme of investigation and consultation, of which tli work- ol the Commission is the first stage. I he Commission does not go to Tn-I dia with any idea of imposing Western ideas or constitutional forms from without. A\ ogo to listen, to learn, and faithfully report our conclusions

as to the actual conditions and varying proposals from within. When the Commission has reported, the scheme provides for that full and final consultation between representatives of the Legislatures of India and (treat Britain, which is an essential condition to lie fulfilled before reaching a decision upon which so much depends.”