3rd Round Table Conference

Third Round Table Conference (17th November to 24th December,1932)

Sir Samuel Hoare, the Secretory of State for India, was a perfect snob. He had deep-rooted contempt for Indians. The very idea of sitting along with Indian delegates for deliberations was revolting to him. His intentions was to invite only a few Indians to put there case before a committee of parliament which was to draw the future constitution of India. With much reluctaince,however he agreed to call the Third R.T.C. which met form 17th November to 24th December, 1932. Only 46 delegates were invited this time as against 88 on the first occasion. The choice of Indian delegates was limited only to those persons who were loyal to the govt. Congress participation in the conference was out of question. The Civil Disobedience Movement had been revived and the govt. was busy in putting it down with an iron hand. Even the Hindu Mahasabha was not represented at the conference. The British Labour Party also withdraw because its nominees were not acceptable to the British Govt. Thus the Third R.T.C. was a body of only sycophants or 'Yesmen' of the Government.
The Reports of various sub-committees appointed during the Second R.T.C. formed the basis of discussion. These problems received attention at the Conference. These were safeguards, the term under which the States were to join the Federation and the distribution of residuary powers.
White Paper, March,1933- In March 1933, the British Government published a White Paper which indicated the lines on which the new Act of 1935 was to be made. This Paper was prepared on the basis of the discussions and decisions taken during the three Round Table Conferences. This paper was so reactionary in character that the Congress and other progressive elements in India rejected in outright. It was most disappointing because it did not propose any curtailment in the powers of the Governor-General or the British Parliament over Indian affairs. In view of general discontentment, the Government submitted the proposals to a joint select committee of the Parliament to discuss it thoroughly. The committee met under Lord Linlithgow. It sat for eighteen months at the end of which it published its report on 11th November,1934.
The Committee which had a clear majority of Conservative members of the Parliament made the White paper still worse. Instead of being more lenient to and sympathetic with the Indian people,it withdrew what few concessions had been proposed in white Paper. Federal Assembly, for instance,as suggested in the White Paper was to have direct election. Thus, the Report did more harm than good from Indian point of view, the net result of three Round Table Conference, White Paper and Joint Committee's report was the Government of India Act, 1935, which we shall discuss in the 18th chapter.