IN INDIA

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1930, Page 5

IN INDIA

THE WEEKLY SURVEY

(Official Wireless.)

(Received this day at. 12.25. p.m.) RUGBY, September 1.6.

The Government of India in iis usual weekly survey of the situation says:—

“The general trend of public opinion outside Congress d,roles, regarding the breakdown of the recent peace conversations is to lay the responsibility on the Congress leaders. The absence of anything in the nature of a practical, constructive progammo shows how far Congress are from the everyday affairs of the administration, especially in the provinces, since the acceptance of their proposals would condemn the reformed Provincial Government, at the beginning of the new constitution to financial stagnation and would deprive them indefinitely of the means of carrying out a progressive policy in the fields of education, medical relief, scientific agriculture nnd other beneficient activity.

Their proposal that picketing should continue, even after the civil disobedience movement is abandoned, is also unpopular, since it represents action in restraint of trade, which would prejudicially affect the interests of thousands of Indian traders without any limit of time. The trading community are realising more than ever the significance of Congress tyranny, and this particular threat is likely to hasten a revolt against their methods. Moderate opinion is rallying in support. of the Indian Round Table C< lifer cnee as an agency through which practical issues can lie examined and disussed in an atmosphere of reason and goodwill. Meanwhile, says the survey, there is a progressive decline in enthusiasm in places where Congress activities were prominent early in the civil disobedience campaign and in places to which the movement has recently extended, vigorous action has more rapid and effective results than similar measures had a few months ago. Nevertheless the need for such action has been increased by the growing tendency to violence shown by the rank and file. A profession of nonviolence has been frequently ignored and force lias been required to restore authority. The success achieved by the Congress in the boycott of the elections to the legislative bodies has varied in different places. Broadly speaking the Mohammedan will not tolerate interference in elections to seats .reserved for the .community, and Congress left'them. alone..- Til regard to nonMobammedan seats the success of Congress, was most marked in some of Gujerat districts, where comparatively few hindus voted; ■ The educational boycott says the survey, is definitely on the decline, and is likely to fall within a few weeks, The main activities of the Congress will probably be a boycott of foreign good and a no-tax campaign. The latter is aimed at enlisting the sympathies of the rural classes.' Attempts may be made to revive breaches of the salt laws.

Regarding the north-west frontier, except at the head of Kurram Valley, where a fair amount of sporadic fighting occurred, the tribal areas of the province remained---quiet During the week it was reported an emissary from Kabul had reached hostile tribes in Peiwar area, with orders from the King and Prime Minister of Afghanistan to cease their activities.