The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1925. HOLDING OUR EMPIRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1925. HOLDING OUR EMPIRE.

An interesting reference to the task of holding India is made in the “Lyttelton Times’’ when writing of the now occupant to the liigli office—the Vice- ' roy of India. The paper says:—Mr Kdward Wood, a inotuher of a Conservative Ministry, is to succeed Earl Reading, formerly a member of a Liberal Cabinet, as Viceroy of India. It i.s the most important appointment at the disposal of the Prime Minister, and it is a pleasing sidelight on British I politics to note how the newspapers and politicians, irrespective of party ties, • pay generous tributes to the statesmanship of the retirng Viceroy, and express confidence in the fitness of the V i ce r< A-d<vs i g n.at e to <|i.scharge the onerous duties of that high office. Mr Wood will he the youngest Viceroy since the Marquis Curzon—lie is only forty-four years of age—but he has had varied experience of a political and administrative character, and is one of the most popular members of the present Government. It is nearly seventy years sin e the Government of India was transferred from the East India Company to the Crown, and Mr Wood will lie the sixteenth Viceroy to he appointed in that time. Only one of the men called to this important post. Lord Lawrence, knew the Indian system from within, but a high sense of duty and the desire to build upon sure foundations have made the record of the Viceroys a wonderful page in the history of the Empire. Possibly Earl Reading has had the most difficult term of office of any Viceroy, for lie went to India at a lime when great constitutional changes were in course of being introduced, when the opposition of the non-co-operators and the Swarajists was at its height, and when the fate of the diarchy as a system of government was hanging in the balance. He .lias bad to steer the Indian Empire through a period of political ferment, when the new institutions were on their trial, and the fa't that he <an leave the new constitutional order in actual operation, the measures for greater self-government more widely appreciated, and the industrial outlook bright, is evidence of the statecraft which he has displayed India is in a much more stable condition now than when he first landed in the country, calm has succeeded the storm, and his successor will have an easier task because of the efficient measures which Earl Bending has promoted for the good of that great country. Earl Beading has served the Crown in many important positions, hut probably his work in India will constitute his greatest claim to the gratitude of the people both of India and of the Empire. There is something impressive in the long records of the men who have left the Mother Country to serve in the great task of administering some portion of this Empire. They have paid a heavyprice, ns the last book of |he Marquis

Curzon showed. Some have laid down their lives, others have been broken in health, still others have lost wife or child, but the work has gone on, the post have been fdled ami the duties discharged. In turn, a young YorkRhireiuan will go out to guide the affairs of India, and he will carry with him the best wishes of all who can appreciate the value of service such as this and the earnestness of the men who have been called to discharge these vital duties.