INDIAN CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1930, Page 5

INDIAN CONFERENCE

PLENARY SESSION

(Official Wireless.)

(Received this day at 11.30 a m.) RUGBY, November 18. Speaking at the Plenary Sitting of Indian Conference the Maharajah Al-

war urged the delegates that for tae M'cill 'iJeing of their natipnal cause they give up- all little quarrels and differences. He considered the federation, or what lie preferred to call the United States of India offered the shortest and quickest way to a Dominion status. India should achieve her position on a footing ol equality with her sister Doniin.ons, and arrive at the situation fully blossomed. A 'Dominion status was soon possible, his reason for saying so was so that a large Empire might find a. grateful India co-operating wholeheartedly in making Empire, to which they were pround to belong, something even greater. A United India woiuld be the finest jewel and strongest force in cause of Empire. India had helped during the war crisis and it was now Britain’s turn to help India reach a position beyond which they had no desire to go, namely of a sister Dominion with the Empire. Sir Muhammad S’hafi said seventyone million Mussolomans desired to have their legitimate share of pro- . vineial and central Government. A federal system alone would meet the circumstances of the cace,

The Maharaja of Rewa, representing. the Conser’vaiivte element among the Indian States, said he felt certain there must be a large measure of support for those oouncilling a cautious advance. Lord Peel said in the Viceroy’s statement there was no promise of an immediate translation into the fact of a full measure of Dominion status.

It pointed as a goal which might ike attained m a swifter way or short-, 'er way, if things went well with pol-: itical developments. India is not unreasonable to propose that while the provinces are adjusting themselves to the new conditions, there should he no substantial change in the Central Government. Concluding he affirmed strong belief which was shared bv British Conservative opinion, in the importance of bringing India sooner or later to an equal part in the great community of tble British Commonwealth. The contribution which India could bring in thought, in knowledge, material and spiritual would enormously enrich the content of what may bo in the future a community of British nations.