AN important inter-Dominion conference on trade affecting West Bengal and Assam on one side and East Bengal on the other will be held in Calcutta in the middle of this month, it is learnt. ... The purpose of the conference is to straighten out the difficulties which have arisen due to custom barriers and other restrictions on the movement of goods and essential commodities imposed as a result of India`s declaration of Pakistan as a foreign territory and counter measures taken on the other side of the frontier. ... It is probable that the opportunity will be availed of by the representatives of the provinces to discuss certain questions relating to the minorities, but it is felt that, as far as East Bengal is concerned, there is no general desire on the part of the minorities to migrate to the Indian Union... .

[Meanwhile, according to the Dawn staff reporter,] All business in the Karachi Small Causes Court came to a standstill on Monday [April 5]. The new Judge had no cases on his files, as these had been withdrawn under the orders of the Chief Judge of the Sind Chief Court. On inquiry it was learnt that the Chief Judge had taken this unusual step as the new Judge of the Small Causes Court, Mr Zafar Ali, had been appointed against the recommendations of the Chief Justice.