BOMBAY: The Committee of Indian Merchants Chamber, Bombay, in a statement on the question of Sterling Balances, says: `The evasive and unsatisfactory replies of Sir John Anderson and Mr. Amery on Sterling Balances, and the continued agitation in the British Press for evasion appropriation or scaling down of the legitimate dues of India, compel the Committee of the Indian Merchants Chamber to utter one more protest and to sound one more warning.

`Throughout the five years of war, the material from Indian producers, merchants and manufacturers has been taken at controlled prices for war purposes for the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation. The amount now outstanding represents only a fraction of what it should have been. In the interest of honest dealings between groups of people in the British Empire, it is essential to declare unequivocally that the moneys will be paid to India in gold or in such currencies India may need and that their payment will not be delayed.

India could have no possible interest in [any] proposed fund if the resources accumulated at the expense of sacrifice, sufferings and self denial of her people are not made available to her, as and when and in the form she requires for post-war purposes. (Dawn, Delhi)