INDIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1918, Page 5

INDIA.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM, ISSUE F&&LY FACED. London, July 6. The. report of the Committee on In4ian Constitutional Reform is a bulky 4peument, and contains proposals based 49 investigation* which occupy early half % year, carrying out the War Cabinet's pledge to take substantial steps in the direction of the gradual development of venting- institutions with the view if the progressive realisation of responsible Government in Ind.i c 3 an integral »*t of the Empire. It is pointed out that the report pubIjfiied will afford a basis for discussion •I'd criticism. The Covernmont has not formulated conclusions on the proyfwß The report candidfy surveys the 44toit*s ot thP problem, and pays a triVwtr to tbe luvrty and genuine sympathy of the Indian peoples with the Allies' ca»3o. ■ R etate* that our own and tii£ American declarations of war aims give nev; fore.' and vitality to the Progre«sivi?ts' demand for self-government, and that devolution shall take the form of giving responsibility for certain subjects affording most opportunity for local know ledge and social service. Therefore, it is prftwc4 Jttat t'ic Executive Government gf all the major provinces, exelusive of Burma, blia.ll consist of two parts, one comprising the Governor and an KscSttive Council of two meiulier*, oza cf whom shnll be an Indian, the ether comprising the Governor with one or 31 ore Ministers cliosen from tl»e elected member- - . The Legislative Council of each nrovince wiJJ have a substantial majority pf elected members chosen on s broad franchise. It is powHtle that contributions for the maintenance of all Indian amices will be a first charge on the provincial revenues. The Provincial Government will administer the remaining revenues and also have limited power* of taxation and borrowing What law hitherto been known a* the Vicc-Regal Legislature will be Wurcated. The eii«ti«£ Council will become the I.egishttim AamMy, end consist of about hundred members, two-thirds elected, and the remainder nominated by the Vieeroy. One-third of these nominee* mat hj» non-officials. Th» attend (Somber will be the Council of State with the experience and dignity of the elder statesmen. They win participate in ordinary legislative business and be the final authority on matter* which the Government regards a* essential. TW Council will consist of SO ntmbvt, pf whom 21 will be elected. Other proposals include the establishment of the permanent Council of Princes to consider questiens affecting the Native State* and the appointment of a (Vmnission ten years hence to survey the situation and judge what further devolution 1« possible. There will be other similar Cowmlseions subsequently at twelve-year intervals. , PRESS COMMENTS. The length of the Indian Government Report and the complexity of the problems make the newspapers chary of detailed criticism. The Daily Chronicle welcomes the report, and says "at its root lies the principle that it is no good to enlarge the machinery of elected representatives un--Icm the representatives govern in posi tions of definite responsibility Hitherto the Indian delegates have been mere critics. The new scheme lays stress on decentralisation, and begins at the bottom with local govsrnmmtThe Daily Telegraph also welcomes thf extension of local government, also of the Council of Princes, but It must he Mnembered that India is not one comvanftr •*? aaor * ***» Europe is. The Hindu Congress and the Moslem League do not represent the people. The only principle is to hold the conglomerate —■i in alkgiuioe 0 the British power. The scheme has the merit of recognising that the ultimate decisive authority i* the British Government. The Morning Poet says:—We dislike uA distrust both the report and its chief author. I'he scheme proposes to undermine the foundations of British rale in India, which are the British magistrate and collectorThe Daily Hews says the report is one cf the great State documents of the world: The prime necessity is to create * real Indian electorate: Hie report foe faeed the great issue fairly.—Am* fOLCMtAa we.