INDIAN CONFERENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 January 1931, Page 7

INDIAN CONFERENCE

THE FEDERAL STRUCTURE

(British Official Wireless)

RUGBY, 2nd January. Addressing the Federal Structure Sub-Committee of the Indian Conference, one leading representative of moderate opinion in British India objected to tiie powers of certification which prevented the legislature from rising to its full height, and contrasted the position with that prevailing in selfgoverning dominions at present. He declared that neither the Governor-Gen-eral nor the Executive Council was answerable to the Legislature; their rcEonsibility was to the Crown and the •itish Parliament through the Secretary of State. If the Legislature knew it was responsible, and that its vote might throw out the Government it would act witli more moderation. He would like the Governor-General to continue to be appointed by the Crown as at present and would like to make i* impossible for the commander-in-chief to be a member of the Executive. lie asked that the Governof-General’s choice of a Minister for. Crown subjects should be without restriction as to race, and thought it should not be difficult to fashion a clause in the constitution acknowledging in the clearest terms India’s liability to meet debts and interest. Concluding, he appealed to Britain, whose Government nad done more for liberty than any other Government in the world, to restore India’s faith and notably that of those who in many cases were in gaol because of acts done arising out of lack of faith.