INDIA’S DEFENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1933, Page 5

INDIA’S DEFENCE

BRITISH INQUIR Y

RECOMMENDATION BY TRIBUNAL

(Per British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, December 21. The report of the Indian Defence Expenditure Tribunal; regarding which a, statement was issued to-day, appears as a white paper. The India Office in a communique, states that, meanwhile, an expert inquiry into the question of the reduction of the number of British troops in India to the lowest possible figure has concluded that no immediate reduction is possible. The tribunal on Indian defence expenditure has defined as India’s responsibility what is called a minor danger, namely, that of protection against local aggression on her frontiers, watch and ward on tribal territory, security of internal lines or communication and maintenance of law and order.

This was adopted by the experts as a basis for their estimate of- the strength and composition of the forces required for the defence of India. The responsibility of major danger, namely, attack, upon India by a great power or upon the British Empire, through India, is accepted by the Imperial Government in accordance with tho tribunal’s recommendations. The Prime Minister stated in Parliament that th© British Government and the' Indian Government had agreed to accept the recommendations of an advisory tribunal which reported in January last regarding the question of the payments made by India for the recruitment and training of the British military and air force personnel on the Indian establishment, and also India’s counter claim that the British Government should make contributions towards the cost of the defence of India. Where the tribunal was not unanimous he said, the Government will act upon the majority recommendation. The Prime Minister said this involved acceptance by the Government of India of capitation, charges calculated in accordance with the tribunal’s suggestion as a legitimate charge on. Indian revenue. On the other hand, the payment to India of a grant from British revenues was accepted. The amount of this grant was to be £1,500,000 annually. This would include an annual subsidy of £130,000 hitherto paid from army funds towards the cost of the transport of British troops to and from India, th© continuance of which w°s one of the matters referred to the tribunal.

The 'Secretary of State for India, in Council, has granted short leave, on private affairs, not exceeding four months, to the Viceroy of India, who will nroeeed to England next May. The Kino: has approved the appointment of -Sir George Stanlev. Governor of Madras, to act as Vmercy and Governor-General during Lord Willingdon's absence