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Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1930, Page 4

The Indian Conference at London has been opened well and truly, and there is the promise of the flow of lnu h eloquence. Judged by the opening .addresses the representatives expect; a substantial measure of “hoipe rule,” if not actual independence, while there are also ambitions in regard to the colour line. The Conference is not, unforunately wholly representative of India, as the present disturbing forces are not provided for, and have Refused to take papt, As this element is a very considerable force and deter ptinedly militant, ft }s not possible to bp qvep sanguine about, the outcome. It would appear, however, that’ there will be some advance' made in respect to reordering the constitution. There have been implied promises to that effect in high places in the past, and the present Government in Britain has leanings in that direction. In a speech delivered a few weeks ago the Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin, commented plainly on the responsibility of the National Congress for the disorders in India, and observed that its leaders were evidently bankrupt of statesmanship, for a fruitful alternative had been offered them, that of taking part in the Round Table Con-

ferenoe, He added that in spite of all that had happened he had himself no doubt that if those who were* going to represent India at the Conference “could agree on one hroad / constitutional (plan” they would I achieve for India something as great |as anything in her history. It has been suggested, and the suggestion is I not exactly complimentary to the Labour 'Government at Home, that the 1 greatest danger to India to-day is

that Great Britain may become too ready to throw off her responsibility and to leave India “to stew in her own juice,” whereas the real task is to create the alternative Indian organisation and powey which will he able to maintain peace, order, honest finance, and unity among the varied peoples, races, religions, princes, and frontiersmen who comprise the Indian Cmpire. The twit before the Conference is sufficiently formidable to render the outlook somewhat problematical. That the Conference will Ijo converted Into a platform at which each of the groups and diverse in-.-terests will seek expression is fairly apparent. With the Conference -the period of bargaining and negotiation Will lie expected to terminate, and it will for the British Parl|aDjpnf to consider its verdot. “What is essential,” noint.s out Lord Moston, who ivv virtue of his administrative experience writes about India with considerable authority, “is that there should be u clear decision bv Parliament, and an onuallv clear intimation that the decision is to he Accepted and obeyed.” From this it will bo realised that matters are marching towards a climax. Probably Parliament, a/s a whole will not be so indulgent as the Government forces, so that with Labour in « minority, some compromise will be icac't’d, The effect of any decision remains to be semi. India is a vast oountrv, and European ideals are not assimilated readily. The native mind lias to be taken into account, and the prejudice is there in advance. Ac-

tuiilly therefore there is an inward difficulty to bo overcome, and that will'take time and the kJow process of education.