INDIAN DEBATE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1929, Page 5

INDIAN DEBATE

United Press Association. —By Electric) 'ielograpn.— Copyright,;

LONDON, Nov. 8

Commenting on the subect of India, the “Morning Post” complains that the House or Lords were told one tiling and the House of Commons were told another tiling. “We have a Government s. caking with two contrary voices,” it says. “We have the National CC ll gross offering an interpretation whkh the Secretary of State will neither affirm not repudiate. We have contusion, and can only hope against hope that we shall not in future have to surrender.”

The “Daily Chronicle” says: “it is not enough to say that Lord Irwin’s statement meant what it said. The hut is that the Indians have interpreted it as meaning that full Dominion status is to he granted forthwith. Air Lloyd George asiced for a definite statement that that interpretation was inaccurate, and Commander Wedgwood Bonn ought to have replied frankly to this cifect.”

“Ilie Times” says: “The Government cane, in the main, is a perfectly strong one. The Viceroy’s statement that the goal was unchanged lias been welcomed in India at its face value, no more and no less. It may be predicted, with confidence, that the Statutory (Simon) Committee’s report has a real chance of being pondered and discussed in the country most concerned, and that, after ull, is what matters most.’’

MORE TORY PRESS VIEWS

HAND ON, Nov. 8

' There is a general feeling of relief that the Indian debate is over. As a member of the Statutory Commission remarked, it was unfortunate that Parliament was obliged to discuss India at all at present.

Sir Wedgwood Benn’s speech is not considered to lie quite satisfactory from one holding such a high office as Secretary for India.

Several -papers declare it should have been weightier, steadier and franker. The Conservative press, winch for the past few days has manifested an anxiety to protect Mr Baldwin from the attacks made respecting bis attitude, naturally devote their editorials this morning to this aspect of the question. They thoroughly commend his action throughout. The Daily Telegraph expresses the opinion that the Secretary of State for India mismanaged a delicate business.