POSITION IN INDIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 28

POSITION IN INDIA.

THE SAFEGUARDS QUESTION STATEMENT IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. RUGBY, Alay 18. Answering a series of questions in the House of Commons directed to elicit information as to the acceptance of the necessity of safeguards in the Indian Constitution by Air Gandhi, the Secretary for India (Captain Wedgwood Benn) said the published result of the conversations between Lord Irwin and Mr Gandhi showed that constitutional discussions were to be resumed on the scheme outlined by the Round Table Conference, and that it was explicitly recognised that just as federation anil Indian responsibility were an essential part of the scheme, so also were reservations or safeguards in the interests of India for such matters as defence, external affairs, minorities, and the financial credit of India. Replying to other questions, Captain Benn stated that he hoped soon to be in a position to announce the decisions reached as the result of the calculations of the Viceroy as to the date of the resumed session of the Federal Structure Committee. In the meantime informal discussions on the subject of constitutional reform in all its aspects were taking place all over India, but it was not at present proposed to set up any committees, or other bodies in India, to deal solely with provincial aspects, except in cases of the special problems of the North-west Frontier Province, Sind, and Orissa. AIURDER OF AN OFFICIAL. CALCUTTA, Alay IS. The body of Colonel Alorshead has been found. He had been shot dead. There was no trace of the assailants. He was a popular survey officer. He leaves a widow and five children in England. Colonel Alorshead was of the adventurous type. He was hard-working, and had spent the last 27 years in India, except for his war service in France, when he was awarded the D.S.O. He was a great explorer, and was a member of the Alount Everest expedition in 1921.

AIEASURES BY THE GOVERNAIENT. CALCUTTA, Alay 20. The Burma Government announces measures to prevent the spread of the rebellion, including the occupation of important areas by troops. It is raising five more companies of military police, and is also postponing outstanding agricultural loans as well as adopting other means to relieve the economic situation, which is one of the causes of the revolt. A further contingent of Indian soldiers left Calcutta for Burma yesterday. ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE. LONDON, May 21. Surprise has been created by an announcement from Simla, which has been confirmed here, that the Round Table Conference will be resumed in London on June 29. It had been expected that the first intimation would come from the British Parliament. INVITATION TO AIR GANDHI. CALCUTTA, Alay 21. It is understood that Air Gandhi has been invited to attend a meeting of the Structure Committee of the Round Table Conference. Air Gandhi has not yet replied. Alay 24. There are indications that Mr Gandhi will not go to the Structure Committee meetings, but will attend the plenary sessions at the Round Table Conference in September. FIGHTING IN BURAIA. DELHI, May 21. Rebels made a surprise attack on the Crown forces’ camp at Henzada, Burma, killing a Sepoy and wounding several others. Seven rebels were killed in a battle with the Burma Rifles at Kyankme. TAXES REMITTED. DELHI, Alay 22. With, the object of relieving agricultural distress caused by low prices for root crops and wheat, the Punjab Gov> eminent has remitted land and property taxation amounting to over £1,000,060. AAIAZING CONFESSIONS OF PLOTTERS DELHI, Alav 22. Amazing disclosures were made' at the trial of several Indians charged with terrorist conspiracy. Kailaspati, who turned approver, said that he and the accused made extensive supplies of hydrocyanic acid and chemicals for the manufacture of bombs and explosives intended for use in anarchist raids. The victims proposed were the governors of the Punjab and the United Provinces and high officials. A large sum had been obtained for an attack on big stores at Lahore, a portion of which had been used in anti-British propaganda among the North east Frontier tribesmen.