IMPORTANT STAGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 6 January 1931, Page 5

IMPORTANT STAGE

THE INDIAN CONFERENCE

HOPE OF FAVOURABLE CONCLUSION fßritJsh Official Wireleaß) RUGBY, 3rd January. Yesterday the Indian Round Table Conference reached a very important stage in its discussions, and progress in the last few days lias been such as to give hope of an early and favourable conclusion to the proceedings. A good number of the Indian delegates have arranged to return home towards the end of January. A leader in “The Times” this morning reviews progress and refers particularly to the impression in some quarters that the Conference is procrastinating or failing. It states that the delegates themselves are not dissatisfied nor despondent and informed outsiders can only be amazed by what in fact has been achieved.

Never before in all history was a conference faced with problems so colossal, complicated, and independent. Thanks to the Statutory Commission’s report and other' documents, the basis of discussion was ready, hut even so and allowing for “the infinite, variety of interests presented and the gift of oratory possessed by most of their exponents, it. must remain a remarkable accomplishment that a hare month and a half should have produced so large a measure of agreement about so many elements in the future constitution of India.” The question of Burma is practically decided by a consensus, and the problem of the North-west Frontier l'ro vmce has passed through a Subcjmmittee with the minimum of reservations. Reports exist on future francnise and provincial constitution. “The Times” believes .“that the Hindu-Moslcm tension, strained almost beyond endurance by partisan propaganda from India, now shows signs of yielding to a generous statesmanship, and adds: “Let it never be forgotten that the business of the Indian Round Table Conference is not to produce a draft constitution in detail, hut to set before Parliament in outline the largest possible area of common ground.” Many difficult problems remain, and that ol' the Federal structure, including the vital question of the character or tiie Central Executive and responsibility to the Central Legislature, will take a few more days in Committee, though they were so far placed in proper sequence yesterday. “These difficulties are not removed, but are very materially diminished by the new prospect of an all-India Federation being an immediate possibility. The chances of a stable Legislature are far greater than they were, and the whole trend of the Round Table discussion has been to reveal a unanimous agreement on the necessity for a strong Government. Nor does anyone seriously challenge the case for . what are commonly called reservations and safeguards, which was admitted with the utmost frankness by Sir Tcj Sapru yesterday.” . , ~ . “The Times” leader points out that the whole theory of the Round Table was that it was a common meeting ground of fellow-workers on equal terms, and claims for the Conference the valuable result of bringing all its members down from the clouds. Ihe habit, of working together has grown, and there is incomparably less ot that suspicion which Lord 8; in key had dopiccatod as an impossible foundation tor future peace. It concludes: “The Conference may [airly claim that it has neither time nor avoided crucial issues.”

SELF-GOVERNMENT ISSUE WHAT FAILURE WILL MEAN (United Presß Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 4th January. Pundit Kunzru, an ex-member of the Indian Legislature, addressing the International Congress of the League oi Nations’ society at Glasgow, said failure to meet the Indian demand for seltgovernment would lead to a woilcl catastrophe. If the peasantry began ■*> refusal to pav the land tax it would spread like a conflagration throughout India which no powei' was capable ot extinguishing. Britain might rule by sheer force for five or ten years, but after that- there would be a permanent conflict between East and Vest—a conflict of race and colour.

DEFEATING EXTREMISTS LIBERAL - DELEGATE’S STATEMENT LONDON, 4th January. “By wise and timely concession British statesmanship might yet enable Indian Kerenskys to crush the potential Lenins,” said Mr Isaac boot, M.l■ •> a Liberal delegate to the Round table Conference, in a speech in his constituency. He added that before the session closed he hoped there would be a declaration of British policy which would open a new chapter in Indian histoiy and he one of the cardinal events in the history of the Empire. There was no doubt that the control of Indian affairs must pass to Indians, although the time and method might be a matter of controversy. Extremists could be defeated not bv British machine guns but by responsible Indian politicians.