SIMON REPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1930, Page 5

SIMON REPORT

BRITISH COMMENT,

(Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, June 24

The first comments in Britain of the Simon Commission report are almost wholly favourable. The federal scheme, which the report recommends, is generally regarded as setting a new course towards the policy of self-gov-ernment. Under the commission’s scheme, the provinces would have Ministers responsible to the Legislatures for all departments of the provincial government, including that of law and order, the Governors retaining over-riding .powers for certain emergencies. The .Federal Assembly would replace the present central Legislature Assembly, and the present Council of State would be retained. The Central Government would be free from any system of divided responsibility and capable of giving support to the provinces in case of need. The most important constructive suggestion contained in the report is the insistence on the necessity for guiding India towards a federal constitution. The scheme outlined is unlimited except by safeguards against its own collapse, and, in the words of the “Manchester Guardian,” shows the way to the goal of a self-govern-ing federation unparallelled in the world’s history, Further suggestion for setting the course towards the new goal are welcomed bv the whole Press.