The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1931. THE INDIAN CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1931. THE INDIAN CONFERENCE.

Public interest in the Indian question will ‘ ; be- revived by the coming session of the Round Table Conference in London.- The Federal Structural, 'Committee has already resumed its in- i terrupted meeting, and Lord Sankey, | who presides over the Conference, took I occasion in greeting the members of the Committee to express his satisfaction that practically “all schools of thought are represented round this table.” The only important exception is .Gandhi, but as the Mahatma has now finally decided to attend the Conference, and is now in England, this .gathering will include the spokesmen of all classes and parties who can speak with autliority on Indian affairs. Since the last session of the Round Table Conference, one, event of momentous importance has diverted the political currents at Home; and it may naturally be asked whether the advent of the new Government which has taken Labour’s place is likely to produce any material change in the official attitude of the representatives of Britain toward India.. The President of the Conference, the Primle Minister and oilier prominent statesmen have anticipated: any difficulty on this score 'bv assuring the members of the Conference that Britain’s policy toward India is not to be modified in any wav by the new alignment- of political parties, and it is evidently the intention of the Conference to proceed with the formulation, of a system of government for India on federal lines. Apparently the scheme for a- Federal system still commands strong support I at the Conference, especially among the

representatives of the native races. One of the leading Mohammedan members has just expressed the earnest desire of his compatriots that the outcome of their joint labours would be “a constitution in ; which all sections, irrespective of colour, caste or creed, would find a legitimate place,” to the lasting happiness and contentment of India and the greater security and strength of the British Commonwealth of Nations. All this is very encouraging, and it augurs well for the success of the Conference, which is starting again under far more favourable auspices than before. We may note, finally, the suggestion that a successor to Lord Willingdon may ultimately be found in Mr Ramsay MacDonald. It is true that the Prime Minister visited India and wrote a hook about his experiences there some five and twenty years ago, and that he - has devoted much conscientious attention to Indian affairs. But we take leave to doubt if Mr MacDonald is qualified either by temperament or experience to make a success of the Viceroyalty under such difficult conditions as must arise with the , new system'of government. ,