THE CONFERENCE 0 INDIA

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1931, Page 5

THE CONFERENCE 0 INDIA

SURVEY OF PROBLEMS. GOVERNMENT'S POLICY TO BE DECLARED. (Official AVireless), RUGBY, Jan. 8. A general survey of the problems referred by the Indian Round Table Conference to the Federal Structure Sub-Committee : was completed today. Lord Sankey, the chairman, anticipates that by Monday morning his report will be in the hands of the members of the sub-committee which will meet in the afternoon. 1 The sub-committee will carry out a preliminary review of the report, which will cover the maximum measure of agreement reached by the discussions. Examination of the report will he continued on Tuesday, and it* is hoped that the sub-committee will on Thursday make its full report to the Conference in committee on its plenary session. The reports of the various other sub-committees will by then be available. and the Prime Minister, nftef considering them, will ihsike a de r claration of the Government's poliev. find intentions. If subsequent events follow the course anticipated the Conference should complete its labours by January 19th or January 20th. In announcing the above to the sub™ committee. Lord Sankev, said that although they still welcomed the criticism,. they felt that the; time for construction had arrived. Sir Akbar Hydari, of Hyderabad said that lie entirely agreed with Lord. Reading’s safeguards, which were in the interests of Tndia herself. He was prepared to recommend Islam to go to the extreme limit of concession provided that due provision was made for external and internal peace as well as for the security of the dynasty he represented. Tn return he asked the British-Tndia representatives.not lightly to set aside the exceptions he had taken to certain aspects of construction which had been recommended/ SATISFACTION EXPRESSED. The Maharaja of. Bikaner said that Lord Reading’s jspeech gave great satisfaction throughout India. At least 7o per cent of the Indian States, if not more, would come into the Federation immediately and would soon ,be followed by tlie other*." The Priiices wanted to work as willing and co-equal partners with their brothers of British India. Lord Peel said that before the Conservatives consented to the proposal they must know in detail what it, actually was. There should be an end of all ambiguity, which might lead to the good faith of 4 Britain being questioned. Dealing Mote closely with the duties and responsibilities of the Viceroy, he said that some power of fortification must he reserved in order- to carry out, with the consent of Cabinet, the ordinary worfc of legislation. If the Viceroy was to be . responsible for the army he must have undivided control and define the situation in which it was to- be used, and must control its mobility ariu communications. It must 'be required to support the police and the Viceroy must therefore he kept in close touch with conditions in the provinces. The ANceroy should also have control over the Budget and keep in the closest touch with the movements of national finance*.