The effect of the Viceroy's _recent statement regarding Dominion status for India may be summed up as having at a stroke removed revision from Indian polities, rein troduced a spirit of confidence and trust between the Government and the governed and delivered a smash ing blow to the independence movement, which had hitherto been gaining, day by day, adherents among members of the National Congress.
The first press opinions of all complexions overwhelmingly we! come Lord Irwin's announcement a wise step with a view to di covering a way out of the political the Viceroy's announcement without Government Criticized In the House of Lords to-day, the Marquess. of Reading, "with the object of clarifying the obser [Indian situation", criticized the Government for "authorizing the Viceroy's Proclamation without consulting with the Simon Commission. He declared that he did not object to the Dominion status a an ideal, but to use the term in this formal manner would affect the prestige and authority of the Simon Commission.
Lord Parmoor, replying on behalf! jof the Government, said that the pronouncement was made in view Jof the atmosphere in India and to 1 mistrust regarding British poli He emphasized that the question of time within which Dominion status could be attained Jeould not be considered until the [Statutory Committee had reported aid until the Conference, which it] was intended to summon, had met, after which the matter would be decided by Parliament.
Lord Passfielf's Contention regards the reference to jon status in the procelamation, Lord Parmcor said that. the Government had informed the Simon.
Commission of the action they intended to take, but the Commission rot wish to be associated with this reaffirmation of policy.
Lord Birkenhead charged the Gov-ith yielding to the threat, of an Indian campaign of civil disobedience at the end of the year.
Lord Passfield declared that the Viceroy was not announcing a new policy but explaining an old one, and he added that it was never out. time to seek appeasement, even if the people were uttering threats:
Lord Reading's Attack The Marquess of Reading called attention to the statement issued by the Viceroy of India regarding the attainment by India of Dominion status and asked the Government. firstly, to state the reasons for their extraordinary course in making pronouncement without having first consulted the Statutory Commission upon it and before the Commission had reported; secondly, whether the conditions ecatained in the Declarations of 1917 and the preamble to the Government of India Act. of 1919 remain of sure force and effect to Dominion status; and, thirdly, whether the statement. implies any change in the policy hitherto doctored by which this status may be attained, Lord Reading made it plain that he did not object to Dominion status being regarded ax the end which they eventually hoped to reach in relation to the Government of India. He objected to the use of the term because it had never appeared in any. document and because it would be impossible to make a statement of this character without asking the opinion of the Simon Commission. He reminded the House that he had fence been Viceroy of India and he stated that he had boon very careful Jas to the use of the words "Dominion Status", Possible Misunderstanding The phrase was liable to be misunderstood in India and by many people in Great Britain, Mr, Lloyd George, he said, took up exactly the same attitude as he himself" did. The Conservative Party refused to assent to the statement regarding. Dominion status. On October 27 he wrote to the Secretary for India, expressing his grave regret at' the Proposal of the Government and the Viceroy to make the pronouncement. The statement, unless it were cor-ceted. would be heralded throughout India as a statement that the British Government had promised to give India at ence the Dominion status. He wanted the Government to make it clear throughout India, without fany ambiguity, that the language used by the Government in the pronouncement was only the interpretation of the ultimate goal to which India might attain "when various obstacles were surmounted.
Lord Parmoor's Reply Government, said he could find no Lord Parmoor,- replying for the} ambizvity in the pronouncement.
The Viceroy had issued it in order that India's pinion might be! passe, Similarly political leaders, estimated and that Indians, who' span anc throughout India, who voiced their were doubtful before, would now kitehen—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.