THE SIMON COMMISSION

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1928, Page 1

THE SIMON COMMISSION

THE INDIAN ENQUIRY. In the Government of India Act, 1919. the policy of Parliament is stated to be to provide for “the increasing association of Indians in every branch of the administration and the gradual development of self-governing institutions with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible government in British India a.s an integral part of the British Empire.” The Act provided for the appointment of a Commission at the expiry of ten years after the passing of the Act, hut last November the Government passed a Bill to allow for the immediate appointment of the Commission. The members of this Commission are:—Sir John Simon, K.C., M.P. (chairman) : Ads count Burnlvam, the newspaper proprietor; Lord Strntheona, deputychairman of the Conservative Party: the Right Hon. Yernon Hartshorn, P.C., ALP. (Labour); Colonel the Right Hon. G. R. Lane-Fox. ALP, Under-Secretary for Mines; the Hon. E. C. G. Cadogan, AI.P. formerly secretary to the Speaker; and Alajor C. R. Atlee, ALP., who was a member of Air AlaeDonald’s Labour Government. The Right Hon Stephen AA’alsh P.C.. AI.P., who was Secretary for War in the Labour Government, waa ap-

pointed, but retired on account of illhealtli. and "as replaced I>v Mr Hartshorn. The personnel of the Commission was criticised because. though all the members are unexceptionable on the point of ability, there is no one with special knowledge of India. The appointments were much criticised in India too. because no Indian members were included, and as .soon as they were announced it was freely predicted that the Commission would b e boycotted. The Governent’s attitude on this point is that there are so many sects and parties in India, and it is so difficult to get any sort of unity in Indian opinion, that the appointment of throe or even more Indian members would not have ensured that Indian views would be adequately represented. The \ ieeroy. Lord Irwin, met twenty delegates oi all Indian parties at Bombay and explained the position in confidence, pointing out that the Commission would welcome the fullest cooperation of the Indian Legislatures, and would even co-opt members or appoint them as assessors. However. Indians at party congresses were unanimous in deciding to boycott the Commission. Criticisms ranged from discontent at the absence of Indian members to the statement of Mahomed Ali. the Moslem leader, that “if Irwin and Birkenhead wrtnt India to believe that they desire to establish responsible Government they must forthwith call an Indian convention, whose decisions must !>e accepted and passed by tbe British Parliament without the change of a comma.’’ The Legislative Assembly, tbe latest body to boycott the Commission, was expected by Air Baldwin to furnish a committee to help in the investigation. It contains 14-5 members, forty-one nominated, of whom twenty-six are official members, and 104 elected. The Indian Legislature, of which it form

a part. lias power to make laws for all persons in British India, with certain restrictions, hut the Viceroy, with the consent of the British Parliament, has power to enact measures against the wish of the Legislature.