INDIA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1930, Page 5

INDIA CONFERENCE

GREAT POSSIBILITIES

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

(Received 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 6.

Although it .is suggested that the Dominion delegates may depart hl- ’ most empty handed from the imperial Conference, the Indian round ta'ole delegates have only to ask and •' receive. Such, at least, is tiie impression gained from the preparatory moves at the 'Conference, the delegates to which are informally conferring at St. James Palace.

It is pointed out that Lord Irwin’s speeches referring) to Dominion status commit Britain to conceding what-

ever the Conference unanimously demands. ,It has been clear for some time that Government has decided to use Sir John Simon’s report merely as a work of reference.

It is also understood that the Government of India’s recommendations

regarding the constitution which is being published probably next week will go further than the Simon Commission regarding the Central Government.

Some delegates join in affirming that they expect immediate Dominion status, with safeguards regarding defence, including the maintenance of a British Army, foreign relations, finance, and preservation of interests of minorities. Lord Burnham in a foreword, in the abridged odition of the Simon report calls attention to the danger of a surrender policy, He declares that India at present is in a state of crisis and incipient anarchy, and will be the scene of a titanic -struggle concerning the relationship of Asiatic and Western peoples. He adds that the Com'misbion’s main purpose lias been to prevent the dissolution of the British Empire in India.