The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1931. THE PROBLEM OF INDIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1931. THE PROBLEM OF INDIA.

Authoucu it might almost appear idle to expect useful results from a resump, lion of the Round Table Conference while the communal atmosphere in Indua is so deeply disturbed, there is cause for satisfaction in the announcement that lias now been made that the Federal Structure Committee of the Conference will re-asscmble in London early in September. To postpone all attempts at further progress until a Hindu-Moslem agreement has been reached would be ill-advised, notwithstanding the fact that the continual recurrence of episodes reflecting, the iiltih'-raciai hostility which exists bait scarcely fail to increase the difficulties that attend one of the most delicate aspects of tile immense problem confronting the Conference. In view of the Moslem delegation’s instruction not to accept any kind of Federal Constitution unless it includes full minority safeguards and, separate electorates/it would seem that the Federal Structure Committee can achieve nothing without a Hindu-Mos-lem settlement. On the other hand, the repetition, on a fortunately smaller scale, mf the Cawnpore riots of March last suggests that the establishment of reasonably peaceful relations between the two religious communities will not be easily or speedily accomplished. There is no more urgent work than a settlement of this problem, particularly as Mr Gandhi, who has again been invited to go to London, refused the invitation when it was previously extended on the ground that such an agreement had not been reached. Upon this issue would appear to depend the capacity in which Air Gandhi will attend the conference. Failing a solution of the communal problem, he may agree to visit London in a personal capacity and not as the delegate of the Congress. It is not pretended that his presence as a private negotiator will be entirely satisfactory, but it is essential that a resumption of the Conference should be made at the earliest possible date. It was originally suggested that the Federal Structure Committee should meet, at the end of June, hut attempts to bring this about ended in failure. Happily,, the British Goverrient was cleared of ally suspicion of deliberately delaying the negotiations by the fact that the difficulties in the way of an assembly at the time were all on the Indian side. As several important members of the Committee found it impossible to leave India in June, a postponement was forced on the Government. It was by no means intended, however, that the intervening months should! be wasted, and it is probable that, by now, a good, deal of necessary preparatory work both in London and in India, will have been put in hand. Any further protraction of the present situation would be unfortunate' in view of the frequent outbursts of communal rioting that have taken place during the past few weeks. The need for immediate action is so •great that it would seem that the delegates cannot return to London too soon.