Since the members of the Central and Provincial Assemblies were the leaders of public opinion, it was even more necessary for them to set an example for the rest of the country, he said.

The President, appreciating the keenness with which the majority of National Assembly members ventilated their views in the recent session, remarked that difference of opinion on any matter — more so on intricate matters like international affairs in the present-day context — was understandable.

Discussing the political situation in the country generally, the President told MNAs that the edifice of democracy stood on liberty and discipline. Absence of liberty could turn democracy into tyranny and absence of discipline could reduce it to a licence. —Agencies

India asks West for more arms LONDON: Encouraged by the sympathetic attitude of America, Britain and some other Western Powers, India has now put in its request for additional economic and military aid from the West.

According to correspondent Stephen Barber of the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Nehru’s Government now wants “more than 1,000 million sterling in extra financial help from the West over the next four or five years to carry out a re-armament programme to enable it to face China.

Whereas Britain appears to be favourably disposed towards Indian requests for more aid, America seems to be somewhat hesitant. In the words of correspondent Stephen Barber, “there is wariness in Washington. The State Department is still unconvinced that the Indian leader is sincerely seeking a settlement on the Kashmir dispute which would satisfy Pakistan.”—Correspondent