The Indian Constitution The issue of the Indian White Paper
comes too late for any reference to it in our columns this week. With its appearance the last and most critical chapter of the Indian discussions opens, and it is clear that the Government will have serious opposition to contend with in the House of Commons, to say nothing of the House of Lords. Not even Mr. Churchill is likely to advocate that no step forward should be taken. The more dangerous line will, no doubt, be followed of urging that provincial autonomy of a restricted character be proceeded with and responsibility at the centre withheld. Any such frustration of the hopes of the Indian people (not merely, as is sometimes suggested, of Congress)—hopes which a considered vote of the House of Commons has justly kindled—would be a fatal disaster. Those who believe it is possible either to move backward or to stand still in India are under the gravest delusion. By no one has that been made clearer than by the former President of the European Association in India, Mr. Edward Villiers, in an admirable speech he delivered to the India Committee of the House of Commons on Tuesday, taking the incontestably sound line that the only course possible was to draft the new Constitution, decide what safeguards were necessary, and then go ahead and apply it as soon as possible. The chief problem, of course, is what the safeguards should be. On that the Select Committee about to be appointed will have full opportunity of deliberating.
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