INDIA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1930, Page 5

INDIA CONFERENCE

A FURTHER STATEMENT.

(Official AVireless.)

(Received this day at 11 a.m.. RUGBY, July 31. In the Commons to-night Sir Austin Chamberlain said lie had intended to make a further appeal to Government regarding their decision not to ask representatives of the. Statutory Commission on India to be delegates at the Round Table Conference, but this morning he had received a letter from Sir John Simon (Chairman of tlie Commission) which altered the situation. In it Sir John said he would have welcomed the opportunity to serve on the Conference had the Government so wished, but the Prime Alinister had stated there were very strong reasons which made it undesirable. Of course ifc will be difficult for the Commission’s report to receive fair or adequate treatment in a Conference which includes no one who can either expound our recommendations with authority or explain on behalf of the Commission considerations or evidence, which must be weighed before a criticism of the report can be regarded as well founded,:' but I can well understand that by this arrangement it is hoped to attract to the Conference some Indian elements which might otherwise be unwilling to come,”

Sir John added that tlie opportunity however, would remain, even for the Commissioners to take part in the discussion which must follow,

Sir A. Chamberlain warmly praised the tone of the letter and said that obviously he could now make no further appeal to the Government to reconsider their decision, for the consequences of which the Government would be wholly responsible. He paid a warm tribute to the services of the Commission.

The Secretary for India (Air AVcdg-' wood Benn) said the Associated Government wish this tribute and addec].' that the Government’s decision was based on the simple grounds that at the round table Conference, the British' delegates would meet the Indian delegates with an open mind. The work of the Statutory Commission was done/and the conclusion presented. The Conference would consider that among other matters. The absence of Commissioners from the Conference was, he contended, a perfectly natural and proper thing.