INDIA’S APPEAL

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1930, Page 5

INDIA’S APPEAL

AND CONSERVATIVES’ REACTION.

(United Press Association—By ElectricTelegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON, November 18

Tn his speech at the India Conference, the Maharajah of Alwar confessed that, when he leaned of the path that had been chalked out towards Indian self government, lie was rtem.nded of the song, “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary!” He said: “O England. Rise above your immediate trade and political interests 7 Hold India’s hand in her hour of need! Make her great, .so that England may be greater! 0 India, submerge your differences, and make England great that India may bo greater.

Lord Peel sa d that the Conservatives feared that a strongly-organised party in India might wrest from the appointed representatives any powers granted by a possible constitution, and might use them for separatist ends. Any Indian, be said, could undertake equally as well ns any .Briton any Indian commercial operation. Parliament could not over-rapidly telescope the process, whereby self government was to be attained.

Mr Gidney said he hoped that the attainment of Ifidials self government Would hot create 1 any Ulsters in Ihdia.

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received this ,day at 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 19.

The Maharajah' of Patiala speaking at the Indian Conference with reference to the meaning of princes attached to the Federation said that maintenance of the- British connection, was the fundamental assumption outside matters of common concern. Bcates must preserve intact internal autonomy, Unity could best be achieved by first ascertaining the rights of the Federation parties. , Doctor Moonje said that he and his Hindu colleagues had not come ; to ask whether the British Government was going to give a Dominion . status. They were suffering indignaties and oppression 'but the time had passed when any show of physical force would cow the Indian people. India wanted to be a Dominion with the Empire, and if fear and suspicion would not lead to an offer of Dominion status, India would be satisfied with nothing less than a full responsible Government. He wanted, to. be ashfree in India as a \va's ; in Canada. Nothing less jyould satisfy him,:*,. The Sik’s representative, Serda.r Ujjal Singh, said the test of the constitution would be the measure of security provided for the minorities. Annepu Patro, of the Madras ."Legifdittive 'Council) emphasised the necessity of full. responsibility subject to such safeguards for a temporary period as might (be essentia], n nd urged India be placed in lino with other Btates of the British Commonwealth. LONDON, Nov. 19.

Moonje referred to his service during the 'South African war; also his volunteering for the Great War, although over age. He added':—lt will be a good tiring if England can say of her own accord we offered Dominion status. We want to be as free in India as an Englishman is in England and an Australian 'in Australia I will not tolerate the saying that Indians, cannot defend* India. Therefore the British must undertake the responsibility. Nuhammandnli referred to his internment in 1925, adding, I only want to return to India if I take tlie substance of freedom, otherwise I will not go back to a slave country. I (prefer to die in any free country. You will have to find me a grave here. If we go back without the birth of a new dominion it will be going back to a lost Dominion. I don’t believe the Dominion status I am committed to is complete independence.