INDIA AND LORD READING.

Evening Star, Issue 19272, 10 June 1926, Page 6

INDIA AND LORD READING.

It is generally conceded that Lord Reading was a success as Viceroy of India. Firm, without being obstinate, and possessed of a tactful and persuasive personality, he took up his task in 1921 during a difficult period in the country’s history. At the time many of the British people were frankly apprehensive. By the inauguration of the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms, in the matter of enlarging the powers of the natives' in the conduct of government, a great experiment was made. This aroused fierce criticism from two directions. The extreme Nationalists declared that the measure of reform granted was quite inadequate, while the English “die hards 15 considered that the Indians were Unfit to bo invested with any political power. Feeling became tense, and the first years of Lord Reading’s tenure of office were rendered exceedingly difficult by the non-co-operative tactics of the complete self-government advocates and by racial and religious ill-feeling, culminating in riots in different parts of the country. It is too soon yet to say if the reforms are a success, but the indications are in that direction. Certainly up to the present the predictions of disaster have not materialised. On the contrary, it is declared that the average Indian has shown a surprising aptitude for parliamentary government. The Swarajists, on the rvholc, are believed to be loyal to the Empire. Their aim is to march to complete self-government. Those of moderate views, comprising tho great majority, are alive to the desirability of having Britain as friend and protector, and tho more thoughtful and intelligent of them realise that the goal is yet far distant. One reason for this is that there is no such thing as a united Indian people. There are many races, many languages, many religions. The fierce factional differences that prevail were illustrated a few weeks ago. in .the riots at Calcutta, resulting in loss of life, between Hindu and Moslem. It is the British Raj, by a judicious measure of reform, which is showing the people the ideal of a single country with one administration. '

On his return to London a tribute was paid to Lord Reading, at a dinner given in his honor, by Lord Birkenhead, Secretary of State for India, who declared that Lord Reading’s name would rank high in history in the long and distinguished roll of Viceroys and great Governors-General. Naturally Lord Reading’s reply was regarded with interest, for it was felt that, his term of office having ended, he might feel at liberty to give some idea of the real position in India. He was cautious and reserved, as he was walking on delicate ground, but the inference to be taken from his remarks was that conditions have greatly improved in the last five years. Ho admitted that he

was rather appalled when he ■ realised the seriousness of the work that he had undertaken, but his term ended with the country in a much more hopeful state. Lord Reading took no credit to himself for the improved position, but it is clear that his sagacious rule was an important factor in the matter. In giving his opinions as to the future of India, Lord Reading expressed the sincere belief that the time would come when there would be a complete and willing union between India and Britain, that the Indian would banish his suspicion and distrust, and that ho would come to realise that the plighted word of the British Parliament was as sacred an act as was known to humanity. Lord Irwin takes up the work at an auspicious moment. It is to be hoped that he will be able to maintain the atmosphere of comparative pence that prevails at present, and that the differences in thb Legislative Assembly will bo amicably settled.