INDIAN PROBLEMS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20955, 7 November 1939, Page 8

INDIAN PROBLEMS

VICEROY’S PROPOSALS EXPANSION OF COUNCIL REPLY FROM LEADERS 'United Press assii.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 5 - Together with Lord Linlithgow’s statement to the press is issued the text of a letter from the Viceroy to the Congress and Moslem leaders, and their replies. The following extracts from the Viceroy’s letter show the full extent of his proposals in regard to the proposition of the expansion of the Governor-General’s Council:— ‘‘You would enter upon discussions between yourselves with a view to discovering whether you could reach a basis of agreement between yourselves in the provincial field, consequent on which you could let me have proposals which would result in representatives of the two organisations immediately participating in the Central Government as members of my Executive Council.” ‘‘Thirdly, that the position of anyone appointed to the ' Executive Council as a member of a political party would be identical in privilege and obligation with that of existing members. Fourthly, that the arrangement would be within the general scheme of the existing law. It would be, admittedly and inevitably, a makeshift arrangement for the duration of the campaign.” Could Not Change View The reply from the Congress leaders states:—“We find ourselves unable to vary the answer we gave during the interview. At the outset we would like to say that both Mr Gandhi and I missed at the interview any reference to the moral issue raised by Congress about clarification of Britain’s war aims, without which it was impossible for Congress to consider the subsidiary proposal. “The present crisis has arisen owing to the outbreak of war in Europe and the action of the British Government in declaring India a belligerent country without the consent of the Indian people. The crisis is entirely political and is not related to the communal issue of India. It has raised vital questions in regard to the war aims of the British Government and the position of India in relation to them.” The letter quotes the demand in the Working Committee’s statement that “Indian freedom must be based on democracy and unity, on full recognition and the protection of the rights of minorities.” Difference in Policy After stating that the declaration made in the British Parliament made an essential difference in British declared policy, the letter continued: — “It has clouded the main issue. It has been repeatedly said on behalf of Congress that it is the earnest desire to settle all points of communal controversy by agreement, and we propose' to continue efforts to this end. “We would point out that this question does not come in the way of a declaration of freedom as suggested above. Such a declaration applies to the whole of India, not to a particular community, and the consequent Assembly by which will be framed the Constitution will be formed on the widest possible basis of franchise and by agreement in accord with communal representation. “We are all agreed that there must be full protection of minority rights and interests, and this protection should be by agreement between the parties concerned. The British Government taking, or sharing, the burden, has, in our opinion, made a settlement of the question much more difficult. Should Allay Anxiety “It should allay all real anxiety on the part of the British Government when Congress declares that it contemplates no Constitution which does not carry protection of real minorities to their satisfaction. It seems to us that a clear declaration of the kind suggested is an essential preliminary to any further consideration of the matter. We should like to add that recent developments in the European war have made it all the more necessary for a clear enunciation of war aims. “If a satisfactory declaration is made, discussion of the proposal made by Your Excellency will be appropriate and useful, and we will be glad to discuss it.” Moslem Leader’s Reply The reply of Mr Jinnah, the Moslem leader, after setting out the proposals made at the interview on November 1, and recapitulated in the Viceroy’s letter, states:— “In consequence, I met leaders of Congress and was informed by them finally, that they had come to the conclusion that they could not discuss any questions in regard to the matters referred to in your letter relating to the provincial field or ‘at the camp,’ until the British Government had complied with the demand embodied in the resolution of the All-India Congress Committee. Hence, these two questions were not further discussed.” ATTITUDE OF GANDHI LOYALTY OF PUNJAB SUPPORT FOR BRITAIN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 7, 3.15 p.m.) LAHORE, Nov. 6 The Punjab Legislative Assembly, by 104 to 49 votes, offered unconditional support to Britain for the prosecution of the war. NGAPUR, Nov. 6 Gandhi pledges himself to resist civil disobedience unless he finds the country prepared for it, but he points out that non-co-operation has already begun with the resignation of the Congress Ministries.

INDIAN REPRESENTATIVE ENTERTAINED IN LONDON * SOME DISTINGUISHED GUESTS (Official Wireless) (Received Nov. 7, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 6 The Marquess of Zetland entertained Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan, Indian representative in London, at a luncheon. |. Lord Chatfield, Sir Samuel Hoare j and Lord Snell also were present.