INDIA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1931, Page 5

INDIA CONFERENCE

BOYCOTT BY ALL INDIA CONGRESS.

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY T , August 13

News reached London to-day that the All India Congress, sitting at Bombay, decided not to co-operate with the London Round Table Conference.

The decision was arrived at, following the receipt by Gandhi of what was regarded as ail unsatisfactory reply from the Viceroy, to whom lie addressed a grievance, alleging coercion in the collectoin of the land tax in Gujerat (Bombay). The Government found that only the ordinary legal procedure had been followed, and there had been no breach of the Delhi truce.

Although the decision of the Congress will be received with regret, the Conference will proceed with the work according to plan. The co-operation of the Congress in the Conference was one of the primary objects of the agreement arrived at between Lord Irwin and Gandhi The authorities In India carried out the terms of the agreement both in letter and spirit. Everything possible, consistent with the responsibility of the authorities for the operation of ordinary law, has been done to smooth away the difficulties.

GANDHI CANCELS PASSAGE.

CALCUTTA, August 14

Mr Gandhi said that, although the All India Conrgess has decided not to participate in the Round Table Conference at London, there is no intention of resuming the civil disobedience at once, and the Delhi Settlement need not necessarily be considered as cancelled.

Mr Gandhi and his colleagues have cancelled their passage to London.

A SPLIT WELCOMED

CALCUTTA, August 14

The “Calcutta Statesman,” in a leading article, says: “We believe that there will be general relief throughout India that Congress, which stands for secession from the Empire, is definitely to have no part in the London Conference. The way is now clear for co-operators. The sooner a responsible Federal India comes into being, and deals with this menace to society, the better. There will he an immediate sharp division into two camps.”