BRITISH PROPOSALS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1933, Page 5

BRITISH PROPOSALS

INDIAN REFORM

DISCUSSION IN COMMONS.

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, March 27. -Sir Samuel Hoare (beci euaiy for India; opened tlie debate on the Indian Ooasticuti-Oiial question in the House of Commons. He emphasised that Par-

liament must remember tile history of last century, end that year after year

India has been led to beilieve in the continuous bestowal of due instalments of constitutional progress. The outstanding conclusion of the Simon report was the acceptance of the fact that great changes were now inevitable. The Government proposed to con-

centrate upon essentials, and to define the responsibility. They agreed it was

quite essential that the executive Govdrnmpnt, both 'in the centres -and the provinces, should be strong, and the White Paper contained a comprehensive scheme to that effect. They had tried to give the fullest possible scope to Indian -aspirations. The safeguards introduced were believed to be necessary in the. interests of stable government.

Major Attlee, said that Labour desires to see the successive pledges given to India curried out. He re-affirmed the -right of the Indian people to full self-government and equality with the other members of the British Com-

monwealth. The "White Paper seemed to he in direct conflict with the earlier pledges, and it appeared to be designed to placate Mr Churchill and his followers. The Safeguards went beyond the necessities. The wholo idea of Dominion status had gone, even 'as the- ultimate goal. In effect, India would only get a ■dymirehy, which he and his colleagues on the Simon Commission condemned.

-Sir Herbert- Samuel (Secretary for Home Affairs) said that the Liberals thought it was thp House of Commons’ duty to show that the solid mass of responsible public opinion was behind the proposals, ias, in the main, was the European opinion in India. Britain in relation to India, was now in much the same position a s R he was towards Ireland, where self-government was first proposed in 1886. If we missed the present opportunity in India, there might be rebellion and bloodshed, as there had been in Ireland. Sir Herbert Samuel welcomed the Government’s proposals, as bringing Dominion status very close. The debate was adjourned.

INTEREST IN DISCUSSIONS

A REVIEW OF THE POSITION

RUGBY, March 27

Great interest has been taken in the discussion which ©rose out of the Government’s motion providing that, before Parliament wag asked to take a decision on the Indian proposals, a Joint Select Committee of the Lords and Commons, with power to call into consultation representatives of the Indian Native States and of British India, should be appointed to consider the future government of India. The- Opposition, although they have decided to appoint representatives to serve on such Committee, consider the Government proposals are inadequate. On the other hand, a group of Conservative members, who constitute the “Indian Defence Committee,” consider that the proposals go much too far, hut, in view of the declaration that a. Joint Committee is to -be set no before Parliament is >?.«ked to take a decision, they are moving no amendments, hut will content themselves with a vigorous protest. Liberal members are supporting the Government.