INDIA'S PROBLEMS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1054, 18 February 1911, Page 8

INDIA'S PROBLEMS.

— ——» . 1 NEW VICEROY'S REPLY TO THE REFORMERS., Sir : William . Wcdderbnrn, who presided at the Indian Xatioual . Congress; delivered ■ an address to the Viceroy on January 5 on behalf cf the Congress.' It expressed gratitude for the' rcfordis recently . introduced; urged '• the separation' of the judicial und executivo functions, pressed for an inquiry into the., needs of. education, and heartily • welcomed Lord Ilardingo ; as. Viceroy. lord >Eardinge,' replying, ..said,, , . • "To, any student of the history of this ■conntry"for'tho'past'.loo ycarsitit must beclearly evident that it. has been' tho aim* of England to' promote tho material welfare and happiness of the Indian people, and the. prosperity and progress which are visible on ,all tides at the present day. are indisputable proofs that this policy-has been attended "by a considerable" BWastiro' ofsuecess to the rcajterialladyancenient.of' tEo 'Indian, people.' - Thero has'Ww' bpeii; added a' of' political wii?' cession in tho expansion of the Legislative - Councils'<>n a 'wiflt-r'arid'nioro represerita; - tivo basis,-and'in- the appointment of Indians, to the. Executive Council of, the Viceroy and to tho local'governments; as also, to the',Council; of > the Secretary; ofState, thus giving them a/large share'in the management of public-affairs. Thesa reforms aro still in their infancy,-and reqjjiro careful consolidation.•' i. In. .tne body of ths address you refer to jaridus broad "questions affecting the' welfare of tho masses of tho, people. -The' realisation- of'somo of these proposals' would entail a very considerable.increase" to the normal expenditure, and .the Government would, in all probability require new,sources .of revenue to meet ! it. : .'The; ■educational.-problem is,- ono . of -, these," ' Huwover, the Government have .taken "it in- hand, and the creation of a separate department to'deal with educatioil mav be regarded as an earnest of their intentions. ' I am pleased to see hero your presi-' "cnt. Sir William AVedderburn, whose efforts to re'concilo esis'ins differences ba- : tween Hindus and Mussulmans hrivo my" entire sympathy and my best wishes for their- complete' success. I thank' you for the cordial'welcome you have extended to me on 'assuming; the high officc confided-' to me by the , lung-Emperor."—Reuter."