London, Jan, 4.
Yesterday and the last few di of the Indian Round Table Conference have been such as to give hope of an early and favourable conclusion to the proceedings.
'A good number of the Indian delegates have arranged their return passage home for towards the end of January, A leader in "The Times" this: province remained a separate unit, the constitution might be so drafted as to permit of this gradual extension of executive powers.
The problem of the maintain ance of Inw and-order, and the more general question of defence occupied much of the sub-committee's time, and more particularly as fo how the responsibility for the preservation of law and order; in view of the morning reviews the progress and refers particularly to the impres-wien in some quarters that the Conference is precrastin failing. It says that the dele Aespondent, and informed outsiders can only be amazed by what in fact has been No conference in al history Times" goes on, has been faced with problems so colossal and complicated. Thanks to the Statutory Commission's documents, the basis
allowing for the ready but, interests. represented, and the gift of oratory possessed by most of their exponents, it must remain a remarkable accomplishment that a bare month and a half should have produced so Jarge a measure of agreement about so many elements in the future Constitution of India."
question of Parma, "The proceeds, is practically de-ided and the problem of the North West Frontier Province has passed. through the sub-committee with a minimum of reservations, while ports éxidt on the future franchise and provincial constitutions. believes that the propaganda from India, yielding to generous statesman ship, and adds: "Let it never be forgotten that the business of the Round Table Conference is not to Produce a redraft of the Constitution. in detail, but to set before. Parliament, in outline, the larges possible area of common ground."
'The paper goes on to say that' many dificult problems remain and that of federal structure, including. the vital question of the character of the Central Executive and responsibility to the Central Legislature, will take a few more days in committee, though they wer squarely faced in proper sequence yesterday, "These difficulties," it says, "are! not removed but are very materi ally diminished by the new prospect of an all india Federation. The hanes of a stable legislative are Jar greater than they were and the whole trend of the Round Table dis-cession has been to reveal un= animous agreement on the necessity for a strong government, Nor does anyone seriously challenge the cease for what are commonly called reservations and safeguards, which wan admitted with the utmost frankness by Sir Te} Saliru yerterriy."
"The Times" points out that the whole theory of the Round Table} Conference was that it was a common meeting-ground of fellow work fers on equal terms. The habit of] working together has grown, and there is incomparably Tess of that uepiciousness which Lord Sankey has deprecated as an impossible foundation for future peace.—Wire-Jexs through Reuter.
Lonidon, Dee. 29.
The Indian Round-Table Conference relay resumed its after the Christmas recess, when the North-West frontier Province Subcommittee met under the chairman ship of Mr. Arthur Henderson. Recognition of the need of some material change in the administeathe five settled and administered districts of the province has been the feature of various reports made from time 6 time, and bring the general rebate to-day it was agreed that the province could mot permanently be denied rome share in the constitutional advance! which the rest of India enjoyed.
Bven those who demand a great advance, however, admit that special fgireamstances make it necessary for the assumption of executive powers to be gradual. A general desire to move any sense of inferiority led Jo the suggestion that, assuming the present circumstances, could best be transferred to any executive that} might be set up.
The question of women's franchise was also discussed at length and women delegates asked that. recommendations on this subject made in the statutory commission's report should be given effect, except that they desired the qualifying age to be 21 instead of 25 years. The sub-committee generally expressed dissatisfaction that the number of women voters was so small compared with the number of male voters and thought the franchise [commission should examine methods whereby numbers ought be made to approximate more closely, and that in so doing they should take into account, together with any other evidence, proposals of the statutory commission, Jan. 1.
The report-of the sub-committe> of the Indian Round-Table ce: ference on the North-West Fronti Province recommends that fi administered districts cease te as at precent, a centrally administer-Jed territory livectly controlled by the Indian Government. It reenmends they should be given the status of a Governor's provi subject to such adjustment of. detail as Local circumstances require and the extent of all-India interests in the province necessitate.
The sub-committee considers all matters connected with the control of tribal tracts should be excluded from the purview of the provincial government and should be classed as central subjects.. It recommends the constitution of unicameral Legislative Council consisting of not more than forty elected and nominated members, Another important sub-committes of the conference reported to-da: This was the Franchise sub-committee which recommends the appointment of an expert franchise commission instructed fo provide for the immediate broadening of the electorate to enfranchise ab least ten per cent. and not more than 25 per cent, of the total population, full investigation that.was found to be practical and desirable It also recommends a scheme fo: forming adults not entitled to a direct vote into primary groups, ench of which will elect a representative member. The sub-committee also desires to lessen the present voting disparity between the sexer Jan 2
Fervent appeals to settle Hindu-Moslem difference, which are appar cently the chief obstacles to progress of the Indian Round-Table confertence, were macle late last night at committee. a necting of the Minorities sub-
Me, Ramsay MacDonald, presiding, said it was profitless to reiterate respective claims. He assured his hearers that the British lament would strive its utmost protect minorities and he begged Hindus and Moslems to meet each other and try to reach an agreement before the next meeting of the sub-tee on January 6, Tt is hoped that this meeting will be attended by the Aga Khan who Il in Paris following a Christmas visit he paid the French capital.
Inv. MacDonald declared that the British representatives did not swish to interfere in such a matter as the Hinda-Moslem differences, which were a "bit humiliating.
Lord Sankey, the Lord Chancellor, said there wax not the slightest in Great Britain suggesting to or India de mat impossible for Great Britain to grant at present. was useless, he continued, putting forward at this stage visionary suggestions or ideals, They wanted practical and workable schemes. At present there
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.