REPORT ON INDIA

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 962, 3 May 1930, Page 11

REPORT ON INDIA

SIMON MISSION HAD COMPLEX TASK CHAIRMAN DENIES DELAY United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 11.40 a.m. RUGBY, Friday. Sir John Simon, chairman of the Indian Statutory Commission, denied today that there had been any undue I delay in the issue of the report of the 1 commission. He said: “The larger part of the re- ; port is not only in the printer’s hands | but is in its final form for production, and what remains is in an advanced state. “It ought to be remembered that the commission could not enter upon the preparation of a report which necessarily has to cover a vast range : of questions, including many which j are quite as important as those which are prominent in the public notice. ! until last September after the joint sittings which the Indian Central Committee held in Ldndon, were concluded. “If it succeeds in completing the report in a few weeks, the time taken { will not be more than was necessary j for the full consideration of numerous complex questions involved in an inquiry of the highest constitutional importance, not merely for the moment but for the future.” It is understood the work will be completed in about three weeks’ time. The commission, consisting-of seven* members, was appointed in November, i 1927. Its main terms of reference ‘ were to examine the existing system of Indian Government, advise on the i necessary changes and state how far responsible Government might be conceded. It visited India twice, where it made personal investigations on the spot. Witnesses and experts have been examined in London and in some of the leading Indian centres such as Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.