INDIAN PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1932, Page 5

INDIAN PROBLEM

BRITISH SCHEME

STATEMENT BY PREMIER.

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, August 16.

The Government’s provisional scheme for the settlement of the Indian communal problem, together with a state--1 ment by Mr MacDonald has been is T sued. In the hope that agreement may yet be reached among the Indians themselves, the scope of the scheme has been limited to a minimum. It is hoped that once the projnouncement is made on the proportion of representation, the communities will reach a modus vivendi Ori other parts of the problem. The scheme is thus purposely confined to arrangements for representation in .the provincial legislatures consideration of representation in the legislatures at the centre, being deferred. Communities will be given the opportunity before passage of the reform bill to produce a scheme of their own. The Government will not be a party to the negotiation unless they are 'supported by all parties affected. The constitution will empower the revision of the electoral arrangements after ten years, with the assent of the communities' concerned. Two big ia* sues are joint versus separate electorates, and communal proportions in Punjab and Bengal. The present system of separate electorates is favoured. It is found impossible to abolish the safeguards which the minorities still consider >. vital, thus in each province, there will ! be constituencies for Mohammedans, depressed classes, Sikhs, Indian, Christian, Anglo Indians, Europeans and specially constituencies for women, industry, landholders, universities and labour. There are certain variations according to the province. For example, the Sikhs are represented only in Punjab and North West Frontier provinces, and there are no European or labour representatives in the frontier province. ■

On the issue of communal proporI tions, in Punjab and Bengal, the Mohammedans have claimed a majority in representations in both- ’-provinces by reason of the tion. In Punjab, the! petikdhidge of population is 66 and in Bengal- 55; In the Punjab, the Mohammedans are „ giyen as Mohammedans; 86 seats out: of a total of 175, which does not amount to a majority, but they will in practice get three more landholders’ seats, with the possibility of another seat or so from the special seats. -Thus in practice they. Will , have, just a bare majority... The Sikhs, who are a powerful minority iii the Punjab, will command 32 leats in their own constituencies, and probably at least one irom the special •eats, thus giving them a representation of percentage, of 18.9 against a population percentage of 13. In, TWtgn], the Mohammedans are given 119 seats, with the possibility of a small number from the special constituencies, out, of a total of 250, thue they will not. have a majority in Bengal, but there nre 25 European seats in that province. . Among other, important features ip the scheme is the special treatment extended to the depressed classes These though not among the high castes, are nevertheless Hindus. Champions of depressed classes have urged special representation for them as the most effective means of improving their condition, and banishing untouchability. To this end, many of their champions have advocated separate repreentation. Members of the depressed classes will vote in general Hindu constituencies and also for 20 years, will, where specially numerous, return a certain number of the depressed class members for special constituencies of their own. Thus, while receiving special representation they should also be able to command consideration fror.i co-religionists.

Regarding representation of women it may be recalled that the Simon Commission held the . view that “the women’s movement in India holds the key to progress.” , •

THE SCHEME CONDEMNED.

LONDON, August 17. The Indian settlement scheme is baling received critically. ' The “Daily Telegraph” says: “It is difficult to imagine a Caste majority accepting the proposed voting principle or the special representation of women. The outlook is especially daik in the Punjab, where neither the Moslem, the Hindu or the Sikh have been offered a share of the seats they demanded.”

MISS SLADE ARRESTED. INDIA LOAN RUSHED. Kj, off ■■ ; (Received thioc/b" « mCALCUTTA; August 17. Miss Madeline Sladof the ardent devotee of Gandhi was arrested at Bombay for contravening a ''police' older not to enter the city'. Miss Slade was only released from gaol in May, after a sentence for a similar offence. The new India rupee loan of five per cent, clond 'four hours after opening. The subscriptions were eighteen million seven fifty thousand sterling. There was a frantic rush to subscribe.