SHOWER OF BRICKS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 919, 12 March 1930, Page 9

SHOWER OF BRICKS

INDIAN STRIKERS STORM POLICE STATION EXTREMIST IN GAOL Reed. 9.45 a.m. DELHI, Tuesday. A mob of 5,000 jute strikers, following the arrest of a mill hand, stoned the police station at Titagarh and attempted to release the prisoner. The station was badly damaged, but was gallantly defended by two Indian inspectors. A dozen constables who charged the crowd faced a shower of bricks. GANDHI DETERMINED Gandhi has completed arrangements for starting his disobedience campaign tomorrow. There are persistent rumours that he will be arrested before starting the tour, but so far the authorities have taken no action beyond posting a few constables along the route. The campaigners will follow. Gandhi told a vast gathering at Sabarmati that he could secure independence for India immediately if 700,000 volunteers were available. The Government scored a striking victory in the Assembly yesterday. A motion for the adjournment of the House was moved fy Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Leader of the Opposition, calling for a statement as to the Government’s policy in connection with the arrest of Mr. Patel, and upon Gandhi’s campaign. This was j defeated by 53 votes to 30. PATEL’S SPEECH I Sin James Crerar, Home Minister, asked the House to commend the promptitude and resolution of the district magistrate who had sent Patel to gaol. He explained that the latter had made a speech advocating the non-payment of taxes and the boycott of the Government’s servants. The Viceroy, Lord Irwin, already had declared the Government’s policy, said Sir James, and his determination to maintain law and order. Pandit Malaviya said 100,000 men were ready to follow Gandhi to gaol. He warned the Government that the movement was not an isolated instance of civil disobedience, but an organised i campaign. Unless the serious situa- ' tion was brought to the notice of the British Government, India would go before the League of Nations and place her case before the bar of the civilised world.