APPENDIX I
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SUMMARY OF COMMONWEALTH PRESS AND PUBLIC REACTIONS TO THE COMMONWEALTH DECLARATION AS RECEIVED IN LONDON AT 11TH MAY, 1949
1.
CANADA
The Declaration, read by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, was greeted with loud applause, and the leaders of the Progressive Conservatives, the C.C.F., and the Social Credit Parties made statements warmly welcoming it. The Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto press gave the Declaration a virtually unanimous welcome and regarded it as a tribute to the adaptability of British political thought. Relief was expressed that India had agreed to recognise The King as Head of the Commonwealth. The English language Press stressed the fact that the position of the Crown in other Commonwealth countries remains unchanged. Mr. Pearson, Minister for External Affairs and Canada's Representa- tive at the Conference, broadcasting from London soon after the Declaration had been published, said that it strengthened the Commonwealth association and, above all, maintained a firm bridge, through that association, between the East and the West. He said that to Canada the Crown meant no impairment of her freedom, but on the contrary symbolised the continuity of her historical development and the depth and strength of her democratic roots.
2. AUSTRALIA
The Canberra, Sydney, and Melbourne press gave a very favourable opinion of the Declaration, which they regarded generally as a reasonable compromise in a difficult situation. Alongside tributes to the statesmanship which brought about the agreement, some doubts were expressed whether India would accept the responsibilities as well as the privileges of Commonwealth membership. Mr. Menzies, Leader of the Opposition, speaking personally, said that the Declaration damaged considerably the family relationship under the Crown. In his view the decision was indicative of a process of retreat and disintegration, and was disturbing to millions of British people. He thought, however, that no Australian could dispute India's right to become a republic. The Leader of the Liberals deplored the dropping of the word "British" and the weakening of the Crown link. The Prime Minister, on his return to Canberra, said that while he regretted that India's decision to become a republic had made it necessary to hold a Conference in London to discuss India's future relationship with the Commonwealth, he felt that in all the circumstances the agreement reached was in the best interests of the British Commonwealth.
3. NEW ZEALAND
The press generally was favourable to the Declaration and praised the statesmanship and typically British ability to compromise which produced so quick a solution to this difficult problem. The omission of the word" British was regretted, but satisfaction was expressed that the sovereignty of the Crown had been fully maintained so far as New Zealand is concerned. There was general agreement as to the advantage of retaining India within the Commonwealth. Mr. Nash, the Acting Prime Minister, voiced the Government's congratulations to Mr. Fraser for his part in the Conference. Mr. Doidge, National Party, expressed bewilderment at the seemingly paradoxical decision to maintain a republic within a monarchial framework-a decision which he described as farcical, and possibly tragic in its consequences. In a statement in London, the Prime Minister said that New Zealand would have preferred to continue the existing Commonwealth ties and form of association. It was, however, obvious that conditions suitable to one member were not necessarily equally acceptable to others, and the Declaration represented the maximum amount of agreement possible. New Zealand's allegiance to the Crown remained unimpaired.
4. SOUTH AFRICA
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The press generally expressed satisfaction that a formula had been ffo y z d which permits dia to remain in the Commonwealth, though there was an under-
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ton@afecretism3at India had been allowed to get away with it" There was some doubt as to whether, in view of the new Commonwealth decision, South Africa's present position, as a member of the Commonwealth considering herself free to declare herself a republic if circumstances should demand, would continue to satisfy the more fervent nationalists. Moderate elements were in favour of the new Commonwealth concept. Field-Marshal Smuts expressed considerable doubts about the Declaration and said he thought the Crown had been reduced to a vague symbol. He thought the Declaration was so worded as to leave other Commonwealth countries free to go the way India had gone. This, he said, was not "a natural evolution "but a leap in the dark," and he felt that grave risks had been taken in agreeing to such a step. Dr. Malan, on his return to Capetown, said that the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' decision had been unanimous, and he was glad that it had been so well received by all Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. If the Commonwealth had been kept on a rigid basis it would have been doomed. The change which had now been made would keep it alive.
5. INDIA
The Declaration had a very good press, except in the more extreme left- wing quarters, though there was a tendency to adopt a policy of "wait and see." Hopes were expressed that the agreement would have the effect of increased British help for India in the industrial sphere, and of easing the Indian-South African issue. To Pandit Nehru was attributed a leading part in the Conference, and Mr. Attlee also had a good press. Sardar Patel, Deputy Prime Minister, meeting the press on the day of the publication of the Declaration, acknowledged the co-operation and assistance received from the other countries of the Common- wealth in finding a solution to India's special problem. He assured his hearers that India's future status would be republican in both internal and external affairs. On the other hand, India's membership of the Commonwealth would continue unbroken, though her recognition of The King would be limited to his position as a symbol of a free association of independent nations. He hoped that members of the Commonwealth would welcome the new association in a spirit of friendliness and goodwill. India would not use the word "British before Commonwealth of Nations." The Indian Socialist Party's view was that this was the greatest mistake committed by the Congress Party since partition, and that the Socialists would take the first opportuntiy that came to them of undoing what they described as a great national blunder. The Declaration was described by Mr. Sarat Chandra Bose, President of the Socialist Republican Party, as a great betrayal." Pandit Nehru, speaking at a meeting in London on 2nd May, challenged criticisms of the Declaration which had been made in the Indian press, and added: "I feel that this agreement to which I gave consent is a good thing for India, for England, for the Commonwealth and for the world." Referring to allegations that the Declaration tied India to follow the policies of other Powers, he said: "Our policy of non-alignment remains as it was. It has not changed in the slightest. It is to the interest of the Commonwealth that this should be so."
6. PAKISTAN
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Although first reactions to the Declaration were not clearly defined, the opinion was expressed in a number of quarters that India had "stolen a march on Pakistan, and that the ultimate result would be to hasten the time when Pakistan would also seek complete independence in some form or other. There was no direct criticism of the Declaration, but a certain amount of jealousy of the Commonwealth recognition of India's special position. Other points made included a request for further clarification of the position of The King, and of the phrase Head of the Commonwealth' and the view that Pakistan should become an independent Islamic State, though not necessarily outside the Common- wealth. There was a general tendency to reserve considered comment for the Prime Minister's return when a full-dress debate on the Conference is expected in the Constituent Assembly. Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan, in a statement in London, said that as a result of the Declaration it would henceforth be open to any member of the Commonwealth to take the step which India had taken. Pakistan had full freedom to shape its own constitution and choose the form of its future relationship with the Commonwealth.
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