He propoied that the evidence to be given or already
accumulated on paper should be examined by a Joint Free Conference under his presidency. On this would be seven British- Commissioners- and seven Indian " repre- sentatives chosen by the Indian legislatures (just as we ourselVes have been chosen by the British Parliainent)." Besides this he suggested that each local Legislative Council should be asked to constitute a similar body. The sittings of the Joint Free Conference would not begin until the second visit of the British Commission to India in October. Surely there is no excuse for Indians to deny the generosity and liberal-mindedness of such an offer.-- We should only fear' lest a dread of responsibility might now arise in Indian breasts. This is the probable explanation of the statement issued by the Party leaders an hour or two after hearing of Sir John's letter and rejecting its proposals.
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