MOSLEM DEMANDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 14 January 1931, Page 5

MOSLEM DEMANDS

THE FEDERAL STRUCTURE SANKEY REPORT DISCUSSED 'British Official Wireless) RUGBY, 13th January. Lord Sankev’s draft report was discussed by the Federal Structure subcommittee. Sir Mohamed Shaft, speaking on behalf of the Moslems, said that when lie made his earlier speech he hoped that a Hindu-Moslem settlement would have been reached before the final stage of the Conference. That hope had not been realised, and it had become necessary for him to make a declaration that in the words of the resolution of the All India Moslem Conference in 1927, no constitution by whomsoever devised shall be accepted by Indian Mussulman’s unless their interests are adequately safeguarded. He desired to say on behalf of the Mussulman community that it was not prepared to accept the proposals of the report for transferring responsibility until adequate safeguards were inserted.

Srinivasa Sastri regretted that it was necessary to put a block in the name of the Moslem community upon further progress if the Moslem demands were not met in full. He should have thought it possible to trust to arbitration or to the decision of the Government of India, arrived at after, careful consideration. Some such scheme might still save the situation. Lord Peel, on behalf of the Conservatives, submitted a statement declaring that with so many questions still undecided they were not convinced that the kind of executive stated in the report could be successfully adapted to the satisfaction of the All-India Federation. They desired to see methods, further explored, but wished to record appreciation of the progress already made, and their willingness to co-operate in further investigation.