New Britain herald., 1918-07-19
india IS To have
SELF GOVERNMENT
Home Rule Plan Being Considered
in House Of Commons.

London, July 10 (British Wireless
Service) Eventually to set up i'll In
dia q responsible self government is
the avowed purpose of the plan of
limited home rule for that country
which has been prepared for submis-
sion to the British Parliament by Ed
win S. Montagu, secretary for India,
and Baron Chelmsford, Viceroy and
governorgeneral of India.
Before this goal of self government
can be obtained, however, the authors
of the new plan say the Indian people
should have a period of training. They
avow that the proposed scheme of
government is a temporary eXpedient
intended to provide q method of train
Ing. They provide u method of train
ing in government and say the ulti-
mate attainment of the desired goal
depends upon the Indian people
themselves. 1T would not be fair to
give it to them until they fulfill the
necessary conditions" say the secre-
tary for India and the viceroy.
The report has been made public by
the government for purposes of dis
cussion and criticism. 1t has not been
definitely adopted in all its details by
the war cabinet.
Leading up to a description of their
plan, the official announcement says
that declarations of both our own
and American statesmen concerning
the liberalizing of the aims of the
allies have given new force and vi
tality to the rowing demand among
the progressive section of the Indian)
people for self-government.
The viceroy and secretary of India
propose that the new government in
India shall be composed of the fol-
lowing:
Provincial legislatures to be COM ,
posed of two cham bers-theMHTA
posed of directly elected representa-
tives.
A viceregal Legislature for all India
to be composed of two cham bers-the
Legisltive Assembly of India and the
Council of State.
The Indian Privy Council. members
of which are to be appointed by the
king emperor.
A council of princes.
According to the official announce
ment of the provisions Of the sheme an
increasing degree of responsibility is
to be given to the provinces. They are
to have the largest measure of indie
pendnce compatibl with the authority
of the viceregal legislature.
Certain subjects are to be re-
served for action by the, Executive
Council of these provinces, excluding
Burma. These Executive Councils
will consist of the governor and two
mem ers, one of them to be an In
dian.
"Devolution." says the official an
nouncement, ''is to take the form of
giving responsibility in certain sub
jects, to be known as transferred
subjects, to the provincial Legisla-
tive Council which will have a sub
stantial number of elected members
to be chosen on as broad a fran
chise as possible.' The subjects over
which this provincial electoral body
will exercise control are defined as
those offering most opportunity for
local knowledge and social service
wherein Indians have shown them
selves to be keenly interested; those
wherein mistakes would not be ir-
remediable and those which stand in
need of development.
contributions to the government
of India" adds the announceme
ARE to be the first charge of provin-
ciaI revenues. The remaining prov
lncial revenues are to be admins
LSLSu ny l1IS pIONAIlCIcIl governments
The Viceregal Legislature of all
India will be composed of two cham
bers-the Legislative Assembly of
India and the Council of State The
Assembly is to have membership to
100. More than half-thirty- six-of
the members of the present Legisla-
tive Council are nominated by the
Governor C General but under the new
plan this official majority would dis
appear and tWo-thirds of the 100
members of the Assembly would be
elective. The roaming one-thrd
would be nominated by the Governor
General.
The second chamber, or Council of
State, is intended to develop some
thing of the experience and dignity
IF a body of elder statesmen. 1t is
% be the final Legislative authority in
matters which the government re-
Yards as essential. Besides the Gov
NOR General it will consist of fifty
members, Of whom twenty nine are
% be nominated and tyenty-one
elected.
To obtain legislation necessary for
ne conduct Of the government the
governor will have power to certify
mat enactment Of a, certain measure
s essential to the peace or tranquil
ty Of a province.