Himalayan Times (1952)

May 25, 1952

ifiiiunUujnu (Ti

Five

CHINESE TO BUY TIBETAN WOOL
FROM TIBETAN MERCHANTS

Indian Merchants Left to Themselves

Kalimpong,

Leading Tibetan Mer-
chants in Lhasa have
persuaded Chinese authori-
ties in Tibet to purchase
80000 tnaunds of Tibenan
Wool, it was disclosed at
the Tibet Traders’ Associa-
tion which met here to
discuss latest developments
in Tibet Wool trade.

Out of this 80,000 mds
of wool. 4,800 maunds
represent top white grade
for which the Chinese are
reported to be paying Rs.
184 per maund (delivery in
Calcutta) while no prices
are mentioned for other
grades. Three of the largest
business houses here will
undertake necessary sorting
and bailing prior to ship-
ment to China via India.

While detailed instru-
tions conering the entire
Sino-Tibetan transaction,
moulding mode of payment,
are being awaited bv the
local T ibetan Traders’ Asso
eitaior, it has received a
telegram from Lhasa- calling
for accurate and detailed
report of wool stocks held
by Tibetan traders in
Kalimpong.

This move by the
Tibetan traders, however,

May 24.

does not take note of the
hufcfe stock oK^wool that
is lying with Inohn mer-
chants here and at Calcutta.
Indian Mills’ offer—in view
of the suggested Chinese
wholesale purchae of Tibetan
wool held bv Tibetan mer-
chants-has advanced in the
pas: week from Rs.9o.M0
Rs.no/-per maund which
is still Rs.74 - per maund
less than what their Tibetan
friends will be getting for
the some wool from their i
Chinese masters. X

NEHRU'S SIKKIM VISIT
Reaction In Sikkim State
Congress 1

r

Gangtok, May 19

Closely following Sri
.lawaharlal Nehru’s advice
tendered during his recent
visit to Sikkim that reli-
gion and communaiism
should have no place in
politics, the Workers Co-
mmittee of the Sikkim
State Congress has set tip
n special sith i ommittee to
discuss and report on the
advisability of breaking
up all agreements entered
into with the Nationalist
Party

f See Page 10 1

Communists May Work
With Gorkha League

fethinpong. May 19

Communists of Darjee-
ling will work unitedly
with the Gorkha League
on the issue of regional
autonomy for Nep.ili-spea-
king people, if the League
accepts the Communist
definition of the demand.

This was announced
here today by a Commu-
nist spokesman of the
district.

The Communist pro-
gramme, the spekesman
said envisages the consti-
tution of Darjeeling district
and Sikkim into one single
zone to be called “North
East Himalayan Autono-
mous Regi'n’’ having its
own Legislative Assembly.
This assembly which will
be elected on the basis
of join electorate will have
powers to make laws on
industry including tea,
trade and commerce, edu-
cation, public health and
local self Government.

The Communist Party
will however, oppose the
Gorkha League move for
the inclusion of Darje'ling
district into Assam or for-
mation of thp “undefined”
autonomous region coni-
| rising Darjeeling. Jalpai-
guri and Cooch Behar.

If an autonomous
rigion comes into being
this hill area, its link with
West Bengal must he
maintained in this area or
that form, the Communist
spokesman asserted.