INDIAN ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1930, Page 5

INDIAN ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE

AN IMPORTANT GATHERING ; (Official Wireless.) i (Received this day a♦ noon.) : : RUGBY, Sept. 10. The list is issued of the Indian StriteK representatives and British 'lndian' representatives, invited b the Viceroy : of India (Lord Irwin) on behalf'of His Majesty’s Government to”attend an Indian R'ound Table Conference. which will ' iiieet in London ini a few weeks time. It is possible that as a result of correspondence, sti.l proceeding, other names may ■be added to the I ist, which as tit present contains the names of sixteen’ representatives of the Indian States and fifty representatives or British! India,

Anibtig the former appear many well kuofvn Indian rulers and statesmen,' as : 'the Maharajahs of Bikanir, Alwar, Patiola and Nawanagcr. The .last 'named is t’antiliar to 'English sportsmen •as Ranji, the famous cricketer.

The British Indian names are representative o.': all shades of politics. WitlL'the' exception of the Congress party; 'arid 1 all Indian communities, including martial races, Indian Chris•'•tians,:' untouchables, commercial community, European community with three representatives of Burma anci two. Indian women representativefi. Among the names are those of Aga Khan and Mr Jinuah, prominent Moslem 1 politicians, who also enjoys the confidences of the Hindus, Sir ’Tej Bahadur Sapra, and. the well known Liberal politicians Sasti, the leading \ Hindu politician and Sir Muhammad -Shaft, leading Moslem politician. ’The; Round Table Conference will be a gathering of immense importance. The' suggestion that it should be held; was first made in a letter to the Prime Minister by Sir John Simon,; Chairman'of the Indian Statutory Commission. Its wide scope was indicated by the Viceroy in his address to the Indian Legislature two months ago,When lie said:—“H'is Majesty’s ; Government conceive of the Conference' not as a mere meeting for discussion and debate, but as a joint assembly Wf representatives of both countries on'Whose agreement precise ; proposals'* to " Parliament may be founded. - The Conference will- thus enjoy ; th© unuttered right of examining the whole problem in all its bearings with the knowledge that its labours are of a most academic mind, and His 'Majesty’s: Government still hope that the Indians of all schools of thought, whatever attitude that some have hitherto taken, will be ready- to share in this constructive wbrk. , 1 see no reason why from frank discussion on all sides, a scheme might not emerge .Jdr submissiori to Parliament, which will confound the pessimism of those, who would tell us that it is impossible for Great Britain and India, or far various interests' - ’in; India, to reach an , agreement.”

The names are not yet announced of . the representatives from Parlia'■mejntft;. The. Government have invited the leaders of the two opposition, parties to nominate representatives to attend the . Conference from both Houses, - Hut the Prime Minister has made it clear that , while the presence at the Conference of representatives .of.-.other parliamentary parties would, in .-the Government’s view, lead to the removal of difficulties and differences and would facilitate subsequent legislation,, the Government could not throw, off constitutional responsibility, and. must '‘-retain complete freedom regarding the proposals the will, as the outcome of the Conference, subsequently lav before Parliament b permission of the King Emperor. The Conference will be held in Saint James Palace.