INDIAN SITUATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 50, 29 January 1932, Page 7

INDIAN SITUATION

EXTREMIST MOVEMENT. MUCH LESS ACTIVE. SIR SAMUEL HO ARE’S STATEMENT. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless). ; Received January 29, 11.0 a.m. RUGBY, Jan. 28,

The latest reports from India confirm those received earlier that the extremist movement is much lesb active than might have been expected. There is a general absence of trouble in the rural areas, except the North-west Frontier Province, where the “Red Shirt” movement seems to be thoroughly shaken.

In Bombay and Allahabad the support behind the Congress seems to be failing. In the United Provinces, the norent campaign situation is settling down, rents and revenues are steadily coming in, and country life is resuming its normal course.

Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary of State for India, in a broadcast talk to-night, expressed satisfaction that Lord Irwin, the former Viceroy, agreed with the present Viceroy, Viscount Willingdon, that it was essential for the Government to push on the work of the conference. But, also, it was no less vital for the Government to safeguard the forces of law and order. He believed that there' would be a general agreement that the severe measures they were forced to impose in the face of threats had been carried out with commonsense, moderation and impartiality. Lord Irwin’s speech completely disposed of the charge that there had been a sudden reversal of Government policy. If further evidence were needed, it would be found in the departure for India of distinguished public men who, within a few weeks, would be continuing the work of the Round Table Conference on lines that the Indians at the conference desired, and they would have as colleagues some of the most representative Indian public men. The Government, added Sir Samuel Hoare, would not be deflected from its cause by evil forebodings or mischievous threats. The Government’s policy was simple, straightforward and sympathetic—a policy of progress combined with firmness.