DISPUTE SETTLED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 March 1939, Page 5

DISPUTE SETTLED

GANDHI BREAKS HIS FAST REFORMS IN RAJKOT STATE. ANNOUNCEMENT IN LONDON. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, March 7. The Rajkot dispute is settled and Mahatma Gandhi has broken his fast. THE ISSUES RAISED STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. DEMAND FOR CONSTITUTIONAL ADVANCE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 6. A statement was made in the House of Commons today by the Under-Sec-retary for India, Mr Muirhead, on .the circumstances in which Mahatma Gandhi began his fast on the question of reforms in Rajkot State. Mr Muirhead said that on March 3 Mr Gandhi sent an ultimatum to .the ruler of Rajkot State suggesting that he should appoint a committee to recommend a scheme for constitutional advance in the State. The committee was to consist of four members chosen by the ruler and five members, including the chairman, named by Mr. Gandhi also. Three officers of the State to be approved by Mr Gandhi might also be appointed as advisers to the committee without the right to vote. The committee was to start work on March 7 and report by March 22. Its recommendations were to be put into force within seven days, subject to their examination by Mr Gandhi. Mr Gandhi undertook to allow nothing to remain in these recommendations which would affect the prestige of the ruler, his State, or his subjects.' Mr Gandhi also stated that all political prisoners must be released and all fines for political offences remitted. Failing acceptance of these suggestions, Mr Gandhi threatened to fast. The ruler rejected this ultimatum and Mr. Gandhi bean to fast on March 3.