INDIA’S LEGISLATURE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1931, Page 5

INDIA’S LEGISLATURE

LONDON PROPOSALS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 2. The consideration of Lord Sankey’s draft report on the composition and powers of the. Chambers of the proposed Indian federal- Legislature began to-day in the Federal Structure Com-, mittec of the Round Table Conference.

The report contemplates a bicameral

Leg slative, with an Upper House of 200 members, and Lower House of 300 members, 'the native states would ob-

tain 40 per cent, of the representation in the former Chamber, and 33 1-3 per cent, in the latter. In the main, says the report, the members ot the Upper House ‘should be chosen to represent component units, and the representatives of the. British India provinces should be elected by Provincial Legislatures by means of the single transferable vote.

The seats in the Lower House, the report says, should correspond as closely as possible with the population ratio, subject to certain adjustments. Special representation for the Landlord interests, for Commerce, and for Labour, are contemplated. The representation of the Depressed Clauses and of certain other special interests is not dealt with, pending a decision Ly the Minorities Sub-Cornrriittee.

The report ."lays; “Following the common . practice in' the. Empire, tile Constitution should provide, for tin oath of allegiance to be taken by the members of the Legislature on the assumption of (heir seats.” The Prime Minister devoted considerable time this morning to the affairs of the Indian Conference, and he had an interview with Lord Sankey, Sir R. ■Hoare, the Aga Khan and Sir T'ej Sapru. Lord Sankey paid a warm tribute to the civil servants, without whose assistance, he sad, his duties as c.*iair-ma-n, wouitl have been impossible. He wanted future generations of Indians to know to whom they owed so much of the new constitution.

The report was accepted with a few amendments, and the Committee adjourned till Wednesday, when the report on the Federal Court will be examined.

A note of dissent was received from Mr Ghandi. He adhered to the view that one chamber would be the best. He said he would support Sir Mirza Ismail’s proposal for a Federal Council’ it' such a body was an advisory body. The National Congress, he said, was opposed to the special representation of certain interests as was recommended in the report and also wa» opposed to nomination by the Viceroy in special 1 cases ; but 'specialists should be given facilities- to address the chamber on any required occasion. Regarding certain paragraphs about the native states, Mr Ghandi reserved his opinion, and he adhered to his pronosH.l for indirect election, or •election through delegates?, itsijig the village as the units. The views of Mr Gandhi were noted.