FLOW OF RECRUITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1942, Page 3

FLOW OF RECRUITS

CONTINUES IN INDIA

IN SPITE OF CONGRESS

ATTITUDE.

REFUSAL OF ACTIVE PART

IN DEFENCE.

LONDON, May 3.

The All-India Congress Committee, meeting in Allahabad, lias passed a resolution defining the Congress Party’s attitude to the question of resistance to possible Japanese invasion. The resolution shows a reversion of policy Io passive non-co-operation with Britain and with Japan.

It is stated in the resolution that the negotiations with the British Government and with Sir Stafford Cripps had shown that there was no hope of gaining their desire in the direction of a separate India. “The salvation of Britain and the British Empire lies only in the total withdrawal of British influence from India,” it declared. “Short of that the All-India Congress Party can take no part in the defence of India.”

The resolution said that often the only way of showing their passive non-co-operation with the invader would be to offer no obstacle to the defence by British troops. Commentators on the spot say that despite the tenor of the resolution volunteers for the Indian Army continue to flow into the recruiting depots, and that many other parties, “with perhaps clearer insight into the situation,” are striving vigorously to assist defence preparations. The rejection of Dr Rajagopalachari’s resolution regarding the acknowledgment of the Moslem claim for separate states has brought the statement from Dr Rajogopalachari that he will continue to work for that end. The committee rejected the resolution acknowledging the Moslem League’s claim for separate States by 120 votes to 15, and a counter-resolu-tion opposing any proposal to disintegrate India was passed by 92 votes to 17. GOOD DEAL DONE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIAN WAR INDUSTRY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 2. In spite of the difficulties of establishing a large armaments industry in India at short notice, there is reason to believe, says “The Economist,” that a good deal has been done. India is already eighth among the industrial nations of the world, and she is undergoing an industrial revolution. GANDHI’S POSITION AGAIN DIRECTING PARTY AFFAIRS. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) ALLAHABAD, May 3. The adoption by the Congress Party of Mr Gandhi’s draft resolution for nonviolence to Japan means Mr Gandhi’s return to the direction of the Congress Party’s affairs, after five months. The offer of Congress to co-operate in the war effort, for which Mr Nehru and Dr. Rajagopalchari fought hard, has been withdrawn.