INDIA REPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1930, Page 5

INDIA REPORT

THE SECOND VOLUME

FUETHER. RIBCOAIAIENDATIONS

(Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, June 23. The second volume of the Indian

Statutory Commission’s report has been issued, containing recommendation for a new constitutional scheme in India.

Ini nil 'thep- npiiin proposals, the Commissioners are unanimous. The central feature of the, scheme is the reorganisation of the constitution on a federal basis and in such a way that individual India States, or groups of States may join when they wish The Commission has not found it possible to make a unanimous recommendation or desirability or otherwise of the establishment of the second chambers in the provinces. The first principle laid down in the proposals is that the new constitution should, as far as possible, contain within itself provision for its own development The former system providing for an inquiry into the working of the constitution after ten years, is not favoured, as it promotes a tendency to fix minds ou the future, instead of the present

The second principle is that changes recommended must envisage development, when India is a whole, and not merely British Indkr, will take her place among, the constituent States of the Commonwealth of Nations, united under the ‘Crown. The Commission considers there are a few subjects which should form, a field of activity of the central Government in India, which do not in fact interest all Indian. States, but they believe the rulers of Indian States will only be ready to come into the larger whole when they can see that their rights and position will be safeguarded. It believe the reorganisation of India on a federal • basis will pave the way for this end. As to the units of the 'federation, the Commissioners do not regard the provinces as in any way ideal areas for self government, and they recommend reviewing and resettling of boundaries'"as' early as possible, but while the provinces exist; they form the basis on which the' federal structure must be built.

The Commissioners,, however, think ’Burma, which to-day is an integral part of British India should he definitely excluded from the now policy. Its inclusion in India is an historical accident, and the union does not rest on common interests.

The development .scheme recommended by the Commissioners aims at giving oi mu.rsimti.nr of (provincial autonomy consistent tvitli the common interest of India as a whole. This means the abolition of the dynasty for it was the essence of tin’s system that while certain departments were transferred to the control of Ministers, the reserved side of the administration was still carried on under the superintendence, direction and control of the central Government. La *h irovince shoi'Jd be, as far as possible, mistress in her own house.

After recommending larger Legislative Councils in the Provinces with from two hundred to two hundred and fifty members elected on an extended franchise, the report states what is needed is a central organ which can take up the work of British India so far as this does not devolve on the provinces. It is proposed a Federal Assembly with a fixed life 1 of five years should be chosen, mainly by Provincial councils. That the number of members be increased from 250 to 280, and that. there should be an official element comprising members of the Gov-ernor-General’s Council and not more than twelve other nominated officials. The principle which the Commission lays down .is the paramount necessity of securing that throughout the periods during which India is progressing on the road to complete self Government, there must be full provision made for the maintenance and efficiency of the, fundamentals of Government. There are grave dangers in the situaiton of India that must be provided for. The report says it is an absolute condition for development of sel(-Gov-ernment in India that the gateway should be safely held. The army of India must be strong enough for its task. For many years the presence of British troops and British officers in Indian regiments will be essential. The danger of disorder in India is ever present. There are inflammable elements in the population and jealousy

and ill-feeling between important communities, which from time to time cause riots and cli.stu.rbai ces.

The problem involved in .in torn a-

,-onal security is not. however, a matter only of preservation of law and order. The very existence of tlu- population depends on the efficiency of the administrative machine.