INDIAN CONGRESS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1933, Page 5

INDIAN CONGRESS

REPLY TO GANDHI

SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENT

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, July 17

In the House of Commons, Sir Samuel Hoare (Secretary for India) said <that the Viceroy’s reply to M. Gandhi had the full concurrence cf the Government. General support of law iand order in India was daily becoming stronger, and a summary of Indian press views indicated a strong feeling among the Congress rank and file, against the continuance of the unlawful unconstitutional programme. There was only cne course open to the Government. There could he no question of making a bargain with Congress, as a condition of its acceptance of the ordinary obligations of law-abiding citizens. v ■

Sir § Hoare said he took a cheerful view of the general outlook. He said that the questions interesting the administrators in India to-day, were not so much questions connected with civil disobedience or., law and order, but the general field of admin stra* tion, particularly important questions in the social and economio ; rather than political; field. Thanks to ; the efforts of the groat body of officials in India, British- and Indian, backed in recent months by a growing body of. public opinion expressing; itself, in the provincial councils, civil disobedience had now become a matter of secondary importance.

Referring to the fine record in regard to health, Sir S. Hoare, said that a ne.w drug had been discovered which so far as medical advisers could judge, would be effective in preventing relapses that for years had been'at the back of malaria epidemics. Still further advances had been made in irrigation, and the work was being continued of various projects, four of which,, at" present,. in hand, covered areas of more than 1,000,000 acres. When they were completed, the total area, irrigated - would be .40,000,000 acres, The crops last season and the prospects ...this year were satisfactory. Probably, • . the most difficult problem facing ,the Indian agricultural ; r community, ' apart; from the question of price, was that of land reyenue and taxation chiefly to:,the far-sighted initiative; of . provincial; Governments, involying v in: the; space of .three months reducjtjpn? jn; nents; and taxation to the ; extent 1 of over six . million, readjustment of agricultural- holdings had been made which seemed to have been accepted so far, by both landlords and tenants.'..

Trade reports , were bec'clniitg itioi'e encouraging-.; And prices, of., several commodities had risen,. Trade in India - had increasingly; resumed the nor.raal -.pourse, undisturbed by political agitation,,;. ~

Dealings with the financial position, the Minister said the Government of India might look back with satisfaction, on ;the improvement affected, although it entailed high taxation and civil j, retrenchment Government securities had risen and borrowing had been effected at declining rates. The improvement in the general feeling towards law and order was demonstrated by the provincial legislatures passage of legislation to replace ordinances and the fact that interest in civil disobedience had fallen to such a low ebb that its suspension at the beginning of Gandhi’s recent- fast made little or no practical difference. There was only- one-fifth of the civil disobedience of a year ago, and one-tenth of three years ago, although a great majority of the Congress committee were not in prison at all.

VICEROY’S REFUSAL TO GANDHI

THE REASON OF HIS ACTION

CALCUTTA, July 17

The Viceroy of India, Lord Whittingdon, has refused to interview M. Gandhi, National Congress leader. In his reply to Gandhi, the Viceroy said: “I would gladly have seen you, hut it would seem you are still opposed to withdrawing the civil disobedience movements, except on conditions to bo negotiated with the Government. It also appears that unless Congress reaches a settlement as the result of such discussion, civil disobedience will be resumed on August 1. I hardly need remind you that.as civil disobedience is wholly unconstitutional, the Government cannot enter, , into any negotiations for'its withdrawal, but if Congress desires to resume its position as a constitutional party, -the way is open as it has always demi."

LABOUR DISAPPROVES REFUSAL

LONDON, July 17

The leader of the Opposition, Mr Geo. Lansbury, in the House of Commons, following-Sir S, ..Hoarc, described the Viceroy’s reply to Gandhi, as a disgrace. He said,-'that Gandhi had sent r.o threat, and his olive brncli should have been accepted. Mr Bernevs, though a personal friend of Gandhi, agreed that the Viceroy had no other course than to refuse an interview alter tnc vaj Gandhi broke his pact with Lord liwin by continuing to promote disobedience. Sir S. Hoare said that throughout Congress, la ft week. Gandhi advocated civil disobed'"nce. If Gandhi’s aim had been misrepresented to the Government and the press, let 1 * him issue a denial.

G pud hi is not satisfied with the

Viceroy's definite refusal to see him, and has sent a rejoinder expressing surprise at the tone of Lord WiUingdon’s telegram, which he declares is based or unauthorised reports of what happened at the conference of the Congress leaders. Gandhi declares that a personal interview would clear up misunderstanding, but it is anticipated, the Viceroy will repeat the refusal to grant an interview.