MESSAGE TO INDIA. STATELY AND ELOQUENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1908, Page 7

MESSAGE TO INDIA. STATELY AND ELOQUENT.

ROfAL OLEMENOY. PRINCIPLE OF REPRESENTATIVE TNSTITUTIONS. By Telcsrraph.— Preaar Association. — Copyright, CALCUTTA, 2nd November. In connection with the jubilee of the assumption by the Crown of the Sovereignty of India, the Viceroy (Lord Minto) read, at a durbar held at Jodhpur, a stately and eloquent Message from King Edward, addressed to the princes and peoples of India. The message dwells on the magnitude and importance of the task undertaken by Queen Victoria when, in 1858, the direct Sovereignty of the Empire wae vested in the Crown, reviews some of the principal results of British rule in India, and remarks: "We survey our labours during tho post half -century with the clear gaze of a good conscience." It is announced that the principles hitherto followed will be adhered to steadfastly. The Government recognises I that it is discharging a tru&t affecting the destinies of multitudes of men now and for °<jes to come. Its paramount duty is sternly to repress guilty conspiracies having no just cause and no serious aim. ' "These conspiracies," remarks his Majesty, "I know are abhorrent to the loyal and faithful character of the vast hosts of my Indian subjects, and I will not suffer them to turn me aside from my task of building up a fabric of security and order." After acknowledging the unswerving loyalty of the feudatory rulers, King Edward indicates his intention to remit or reduce punishments inflicted on offenders against the law, a 6 a signal mark of the Royal clemency on an historic anniversary, i Referring to the 'apportionment of posts m the public eervice, the Message states that steps aro being taken, continuously to obliterate distinctions of race, and his Majesty expects that sure progress will be made in that direction. He reminds the peoples of India that the principle of representative institutions has been gradually introduced, an-d states that the time has come, in the opinion of the Viceroy and 'his Majesty's other counsellors, when this principle may prudontly be extended with politic satisfaction. "The claims for equality of citizenship and a greater share in legislation and the government of the country that have been advanced by important classes will strengthen, and not impair, existing authority ; while the power of the Administration will be more efficient if tho officers conducting it are given greater opportunities for regular contact with those affected." The 'Message adds that measures dealing with this matter will bo framed soon, and hie iMnjesty's advisers are confident that they will mark a,' notable stage in the beneficent progress of india. King Edward promises substantially to recognise at the New Year the valour and fidelity ot the Indian troops. A BRILLIANT DURBAR. KING'S MESSAGE CREATES A PROFOUND IMPRESSION. (Received November 3, 8.36 a.m.) . CALCUTTA, 2nd November. The Durbar at Jodhpore was a brilliant affair. The message from tho King created a profound impression. Lord Minto was the recipient of great numbers of telegrams from all parts of India. LOYALTY AND VENERATION. IT IS 15IKELY TO BE STRENGTHENED. (Received November 3, 9 a.m.) LONDON, 2nd November. The Times says: — "The loyalty and veneration of the bulk of the Indian people will be strengthened and deepened by the terms of the King's gracious proclamation." •In his Budget Statement on 6th Juno, 1907, Viscount (then. Mr.) Morley, said the Government of India was prepared j for tho "gradual reduction and eventual j extinction" of the revenue from the j opium trade. He defended the measures that had been taken to deal with sedition in the Punjab and in Bengal, and said he had no apology to make for his action. The danger of India was that of creating I a bureaucracy, over-centralised, and ! therefore unsympathetic. . Then there was the agitation of the educated section, jnfinitesimally small in numbers, who believed that tfieir hands could work the State machine as surely and as smoothly as the British. He should say they could not do it for a week. But the agitation and the riots ought not to suspend all suggestions and talk of reform. The Government had received the proposals of the Viceroy's Council, and were prepared to present propc&als to the House of Commons if legislation were necessary. They had approved the establishment of an Advisory Council of Notables (afterwards referred to as the Imperial Advisory Council, with a proposed membership of 60), a substantial enlargement of the Legislative Councils, both Imperial and Provincial, raising the number of members of the former to 54, but still maintaining an official majority, more detailed discussion anil debate of the Budget of the Viceroy' 6 Council, and the appointment of two Indian members to the Council of India. The last step was carried into effect by the Council of India Act, 1907, and the Indian Government sent out a circular with regard {*> the other proposals asking the provincial governments to forward their views. In August cf last year a Royal Commission was appointed to enquire into the relations existing, for financial and administrative purposes, between the Supremo Government and tho various provincial Governments in India, and between the provincial Governments and" the authorities subordinate to them, and to report whether, by measures of decentralisation or otherwise, those relations could be simplified and improved, and th& system of government better adapted to meet the requirements and promote the welfare of the differenl provinces, and, without impairing its strength and unity, to bring the executive power into closer