• NEWS OF THE WEEK
THOSE in India and this country who expected much from Lord Wavell's visit to London have not been disappointed. The broadcasts of the Viceroy and the Prime Minister on Wednesday outlined a clear procedure under which full self-government for India may be brought about in the shortest possible time. The offer made by Sir Stafford Cripps in 1942 now rakes shape as a definite programme of action, no longer hindered by the one fact which then necessitated delay—that of a world war. The first step in the procedure is to be the holding of elections during the coming cold weather. This is -the necessary preliminary to the setting-up of a body qualified to frame a new constitution for India. Lord Wavell 'has been authorised to hold preliminary discussions with representatives of the new Provincial Legislatures, and with them he will consider whether the proposals in the 1942 Declaration Should be adopted or whether some alternative is preferable. Dis- cussions will also be held with the Indian States to discover how they can best participate in the constitution-making body. In the meantime, the Viceroy, after the elections, will set up an Executive Council having the support of the main Indian parties. Thus at the earliest possible moment after the conclusion of the war the Government and Lord Wavell have made arrangements for imple- menting to the full all that was promised in 1942. Lord Wavell's considerate attitude to Indian leadets of all parties has already done much to create a better feeling. This should be strengthened im- measurably by the act of good faith in which the Government has shown its determination to give India every opportunity of working out her salvation. A difficult time lies ahead—difficult especially for the Indian leaders, who have to seek a way of reconciling their differences and devise a satisfactory constitution. Full Dominion status is in their grasp if they will adopt it—or, indeed, independence should they prefer that inferior status—founded on a treaty which the British Government proposes to negotiate with the constitution- making body.
