INDIAN AFFAIRS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1931, Page 6

INDIAN AFFAIRS.

THE CONFERENCE ENDING,

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 25. The conclusions of the Government on vitally .important questions before the Indian Round Table Conference will be announced by the Prime Minister, probably next Tuesday, wheii it is anticipated a final plenary session will bring the Conference to an end. Meanwhile, forecasts of ■ the Government's policy should be treated with reserve.

In the recent talks with the leaders of the important sections of the Indian Delegates, the attitude of the Moslem and Hindu Liberals has been made clear. The Moslems, it is .stated, will give no support .to the introduction responsibility in the centre of any further responsibility in the provinces, while the question of the protection of minorities remains an open one. A statement defining the Hindu Liberals’ opposition to accepting provincial autonomy as a half-way house was issued last night.

A draft report on defence and external affairs will be considered today by the Federal Structure Committee. 'lt summarises the views expressed during the recent discussions. It states that a majority reaffirmed the conclusion that during 1 the period of transaction, the Governor-General shall be responsible for defence, being assisted by a Minister of his own choice, responsible to him, and not responsible to the legislature. A majority also reaffirms that the Govern-or-General should be responsible for external relations.

During a discussion procedure at the Federal Structure Committee, Sufi. Home, said that there was no ground for . the suspicions that the Government were irrevocably decided upon a policy contrary to that which hitherto had been shown in trying to settle the Indian constitutional question by conference and agreement. The Government were incessantly endeavouring, attempting honest iy and with open minds to gather representatives of Indian opinion, and the interview between the Prime Minister and leading representatives in the conference were still proceeding.

Mr Gandhi raised the question of the situation in Bengal. Sir iS. Hoave, who said that he did not agree with the picture that Mr Gandhi painted, added that he had invited him to the Indian Office, when' they would express what they believed *to be the real state of affairs there. Subject to some minor amendments the report on defence and external affairs .was. "approved and the debate on the financial safeguards was continued.