The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 41
[ 41 ] same, such treaties would not be binding upon the Dominions. In 1924, the late Mr. Bonar Law, a former prime minister, addressing the Imperial conference, re cognised the right of the Dominions to sever the imperial connection any moment they chose. The Government of South Africa and Canada too have declared their right to break off from Great Britain (Encyclopredia Britanica, XIII Edition-Supplementary List Vol I under British Empire). The above-mentioned sketch of the constitution of Dominion Governments indicates that the Dominion form of Government is a sort of independent Government with the only difference that for the time being they recognise the sovereignty of the British Crown, and by acknowledg ing to be component parts of the British Empire, add to its prestige and derive benefit from such a connection. Nevertheless, the decision is a ). natter of its own sweet will whether a Dominion would maintain or break the Imperial connection. Secondly, the other limitation to its complete independence is, that, although in internal matters, it enjoys perfect independence having the power not only to make ordinary laws but nlso to alter its con stitution, a Dominion, so long as it maintains the imperial connection, is bound to transact all important foreign alfairs through the intermediary of the British Government. This is the kind of independent Government demand ed by the Nehru Committee, and the whole of the !Indian people barring a negligible few, joins in the demand. The question now arises how is it possible to effect an alteration in the laws of &uch a Government? For, the problem before us is that if the dec1sjons of the Nehru Committee do not prove favourable to us, will it be possible for us to get it modified? And if so, how?