INDIA’S STATUS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1940, Page 5

INDIA’S STATUS

TALK WITH MOSLEM LEADER SAFEGUARDING MINORITIES. MR GANDHI ON THE OUTLOOK. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) NEW DELHI, February 6. A communique states that after an hour’s talk between the Marquess of Linlithgow and Mr Jinnah “the conversation ranged on the whole position. Mr Jinnah urged the importance of safeguarding the Moslem's minorities. The Marquess of Linlithgow stated that the Government would not overlook the importance of such matters.” Mr Gandhi, in a statement, said the vital difference between the Viceroy's offer and the Congress demand lies in the fact that the former contemplates a final determination of India’s destiny by the British Government whereas the latter contemplates the contrary and maintains that the people of India should determine their own destiny without outside interference. He added: “1 see no prospect of a peaceful and honourable settlement unless the vital difference is obliterated and England realises that the time has come when India must be allowed to determine her own constitution and status. Hereafter, questions of defence and minorities and the Princes' European interests would be automatically dissolved. I am going to use the failure of the negotiations as a stepping stone to success. I am sure the Viceroy will do the same. I will return to Delhi when the Viceroy wants me."