The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1929. THE STATUS OF INDIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1929. THE STATUS OF INDIA.

Last week the Viceroy of India published a statement with respect to Indian affairs which seems to have been regarded first as a prelude to certa'n sensational developments in tire near future The main point in Lord Irwin’s announcement is the emphasis laid upon India’s ultimate attainment of Dominion status. It is suggested tnat after the Simon Commission has made its report, the British Government should convene another conference, which should include representatives of British India and the Indian States, to discuss the measures to be ultimately submitted to Parliament for the extension of self-government to India. At first this declaration was interpreted as meaning that Mr MacDonald and his colleagues intend to grant virtual autonomy to India without dela.y This view of the situation seemed to be confirmed by Mr George Lansbury’s enthusiastic message of congratulation to the Indian Nationalists and his publicly offered assurance that “there is no shadow of disagreement among the highest authorities regarding India’s right to self-government.” Mr Lloyd George, ever on the watch lor an opportunity, scented trouble in the air at once, and put some urgent questions to Ministers covering the substance of Lord Irwin’s dispatch. The

fact that Sir John Simon has not yet

submitted his commission’s report seemed ominous in itself, and the general impression produced by Lord Irwin’s statement certainty was that Cabinet contemplated a forward step in India that might be incompatible with the line of policy followed there by all our .Governments, hitherto. In reply to Mr. Llovd George the Secretary of State for India had to admit that the Simon Commission had not U*sn consulted about the issue of Lord Irwin’s memorandum But as to the main point of Mr Lloyd George’s intervention .Mr Wedgwood Benn informed the House that Lord Irwin had only attempted “to set out the goal of British policy’’, as defined in the declaration of 191.7, which preceded the establishment of the political system now operating in India, In a sense this js no doubt literally true, and even the “Tunes’’ admits that Lord Irwin has only repeated previous statements of “the ultimate goal of India’s constitutional progress.” This is to some extent reassuring, and nc doubt the idea of a further conference is a good one, The position of the Native Princes in particular will need careful discussion, and they have already set forth their claim for consideration in clear and impressive terms. It seems unfortunate, considers an exchange, that Lord Irwin did not state his position more plainly; and. it was certainly a tactical blunder, to publish this document before the Simon Commission’s report was available. But for the moment we may accept the “Daily Herald’s” assurance that Lord Irwin has not stated a new policy, but has merely offered “a reaffirmation and a clearer interpretation of the policy laid down twelve years ago..” At the same time it must he admitted that there is a delicate air about Indian affairs, and it is not improbable that the Viceroy’s action was instigated by internal affairs or information not yet available to the public. Lord Birkenhead has been very explicit about the remoteness of the “Dominion Status,” and his remarks will not add to the pacific conditions which Lord Irwin aimed at, The whole subject is of serious import and 1 as all the circumstances are not revealed at this juncture, there will be the disposition to trust the 'Government till its action and attitude is proved wrong. It is possible there will he sharp party divisions on the main issues at stake, hut the situation calls for cool jutlgmen and deliberate action.