INDIA

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1918, Page 5

INDIA

THE WAR CONFERENCE. INDIA'S DUTIFUL AND LOYAL RESPONSE. Reuter Service. Received May 2, 5.5 p.m. Simla, May I. The war conference closed with marked earnestness and enthusiasm. A motion by the Gaekwar of Baroda, supported by the leading princes, asked the Viceroy to convey to the King India's dutiful and loyal response to his message, and its determination to do its duty to the utmost of its capacity in the present great crisis. The conference adopted the committee's reports dealing with the utilisation of man-power and the country's re> sources. The man-power report advocated voluntary recruitment, as conscription was unnecessary at the present time. It impressed the necessity for granting a number of the King's commissions to Indians and substantially increasing the pay of the Indian soldiers. The report of the resources committee advocated economic control in various directions, the development of foodstuffs production and shipping and transport facilities, and the granting of subsidies to encourage shipbuilding. It was announced that bankers and commercial men promised strong support to the war loan. Lord Chelmsford, in a closing speech, paid a tribute to the spirit of unity that marked the conference, and the loyalty and munificence of the native princes.