INDIAN PARTIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 January 1940, Page 6

INDIAN PARTIES

APPEAL BY THE VICEROY

EFFORT FOR AGREEMENT URGED. ON CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. BOMBAY. January 11. The Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow, in a speech, appealed to the various parties to get together and reach some agreement which will Licilitate the Government’s dealing with the vital question of Indian Constitutional progress. He said that the Government was determined to see justice done. While partisan newspapers profess to be suspicious of Lord Linlithgow s speech, it is considered that it is an indication that Britain intends seriously to take up the question of Dominion status for India. The "Hindustan Standard" says that the proposals are enlightening and admits for the first time since the outbreak of the war that the Viceroy is earnestly attempting to descend to the level of ordinary mortals and speak their language.

The newspaper “Advance" says: "If Britain is sincere India will gel Dominion status."

The Calcutta paper. “Amrita Bazar Patrika" says:•“lt is worse than futile for Britain to change its policy and appeal to the parties to make up their differences."

In his appeal to the various parties in India to reach, some agreement, the Viceroy said that' both he and the British Government were faced with strong conflicting claims from the great minorities whose position, must receive the fullest consideration, a radio message states. He added that he would again venture to emphasise the case for compromise—the case for avoiding a too rigid approach to problems such as they were dealing with that day. He also referred to the concern of the British Government to reduce the interval between the existing state of things and the achievement of Dominion status, and once again expressed his own readiness to help. Lord Linlithgow also spoke of the pleasure it hacl given him to receive so many offers of help in the Empire’s war effort. He had been inundated with offers of men. money and material assistance, and the fullest advantage was being taken of these generous offers.

TIDE OF RECRUITING COUNTLESS ENLISTMENT OFFERS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 11. From almost every district in India reports continue to be received indicating that there is no lessening in the desire so clearly shown by the bulk of the Indian people in the early days of the war to render such assistance as they can. Countless numbers have offered themselves for enlistment and many have had to be refused, even if only temporarily. To meet the overwhelming response and to mitigate disappointment an explanation has once again been issued by the Indian authorities showing the many important respects in which the present war differs from the last. During the early days of the war. it is explained, many thousands of Indian soldiers were brought, into full army service. These included newly-enlisted men. reservists, and members of mobilised territorial units, and the large intake was fully adequate for Indian requirements at the time. It must also be borne in mind that enlistment of greater numbers than are really necessary might entail interference with India's vital industries and with her agriculture.