20 APRIL 1929, Page 2

For the rest, the Committee say that although British India

may have the right to, set up a Customs system which involves the States, any system which has not the sanction of the States and confers no benefits on them is a " real and substantial grievance which calls for remedy." In fine, the case put forward by the Native Princes, who for the first time in their history have spoken with one voice, has substantially prevailed with the Butler Committee. This is an important fact for the Simon Commission. Before we leave Indian affairs we must add that the Viceroy, at the end of last week, overrode, as he was virtually bound to do, the grotesque ruling of Mr. Patel that the Public Safety Bill could not be debated in the Legislative Assembly until the Courts had disposed of all the cases against Communists.

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