INDIA INQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1932, Page 5

INDIA INQUIRY

REPORT OF COMMISSION. ? ON CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION. (British Official Wireless , . C RUGBY, July 28. With .the issue to-night of the report of the Indian States' Enquiry Committee, the work-of all three committees appointed >a-ft:ir the round tallv'e conference has been, completed. The next important stage in the Indian situation will be the announcement promised during the' presentsummer, of the Government's decision on the communal question.

• The States Incjuify committee, '-reached liftflnihknts conclusions- after 10,000 miles tout- among the 111 cHaU' 'States, during' which, personal discussions were hold with 88 rulers, dr their Ministers, ns. well as with deputations representing whole clasps in the (smaller 'States. The purpose of the Committee was to explore the specific financial problems of 'each State bearing in mind the principle that the ideal syswliich tbe Federal units would contribute on a uniform basis to Federal resources. The work involved the examination of the existing • rights of each State under its particular treaty with the. Crown, and examination in detail of the contributions that'' certain States make and the value represented by territories, which some States have ceded to the Crown in return for guarantiees cf a military nature. The Committee prepared a Balance sheet for each Indian State; 'debiting the amounts in reep’ect to certain immunities .enjoyed 'and crediting it with its contribution to the Crbwn which -eventually passes into revenues of the Government of India.

The object of the coni mi the 1 lias baen to suggest terms .which could be fni-ly and reasonably accepted by both the States and' British India, - as a basis of mutual voluntary association. So far an the States are concerned, such association must ‘be achieved with each individuality, as on’y in a very general sense it'is possible to sneak of the common invests of the Stated, as contrasted with the interests of British India. The recommendations of the committee are thus intended to provide material , for a .settlement with each State, on its entry into tbs Federation, on the 5 basis of 'the balance sheet, taking into account individual credits and debts. The committee, however, points out that h.v the very fac-t of entry into the Federation, the Stains would be making a contribution “which is not to be weighed in the golden wales.”