THE EMPIRE OF INDIA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8754, 19 December 1908, Page 5

THE EMPIRE OF INDIA.

IMPORTANT PROPOSITION.

ROYAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY,

(By Electric -Telegraph—Copyright.)

CPeb Press Association.) LONDON, December 18. Viscount Morley, in the House, of Lords, and Mr T. R. Buchanan, UnderSecretary for India, in the Commons, made statements' regarding the .Government's wide scheme for constitutional reforms in India.

_ Viscount Morlcy said a Royal Commission would be appointed to enquire into the internal relations between the Government of India and all its subordinate parts, and would report in February or March. He deprecated making the Indian sky any darker than it really was, and admitted that there were formidable difficulties, but they must be regarded with a sense of proportion and with the Viceroy (Lord Minto) displaying intrepid coolness there was no fear of a general rising, but there was a risk of a general panic, owing to the terrorism of anarchists. \

Viscount Morleyj continuing, admitted that the ■„ power of deporting without a trial was a tremendous instrument of executive authority, but summary jurisdiction was necessary under the circumstanes in order to protect peaceful, harmless people. This ought not to arrest reform policy, but the action of extremists and irreconcilables must not force the Government to -drop the pplicy announced two years ago. He believed this would soon restore order, and ■ disclaimed any to set up a Parliamentary system. If he believed the changes contemplated would lead directly or of necessity to the establishment of a ■ Parliamentary system he would have nothing to do with them. I The Marquis of Lansdowne declared such a tremendous innovation ought not to be introduced until" Parliament had fully discussed it, and nothing ought to be! done to paralyse the central Government.

Sir Antony P. Macdonnell, an ox-Com-missioner and Governor of several provinces in India, and an authority on Indian matters, insisted that complete absolute control of Indian affairs must be left in the hands of the Government of India. All provincial local government must be subject to that condition. . He vehemently denounced the partition of Bengal as a great blunder, and urged that it be retracted.

"BRITAIN'S SPONTANEOUS GIFT." TO THE PEOPLE OF INDIA. Received Docombor 19, 8 a.m. LONDON. December 18. Mr Buchanan explained that it was not intended to establish Advisory Councils, Jkhporial or provincial, as their funcwas better discharged by the enlarge Legislative Councils. The enlarge/ment of such Councils and the extension of their functions to discuss administrative questions were deep-reaching features of the new scheme. The Provincial Councils will bo of increased size and frcater real\ty.will.be given to, their doates. 'The Governor's veto and the power of the - Viceroy's Council will be still held in reserve. . It is intended to secure a large representation of the landholding class and Mahomedans and also a largely increased number of members elected by the municipalties and district boards. The Viceroy's Council will be increased to 62 members, partly elected by special classes, but a permanent official majority will be maintained. Special communities and interests ought to be represented in the Councils. Resolutions moved by unofficial members of the Council dealing with general administrative questions could be submitted to the Government in the form of recommendations. Similar recommendations affecting the budget will be considered. The Government also desired to vivify local and district boards,, thereby training the people to manage local affairs. Executive Councils would be established elsewhere than in Madras and Bombay Mr Buchanan claimed that this was a real step forward to meet the political aspirations of honest reformers. While British supremacy would bo maintained unchallenged Indians would be educated in administrative-.work in school if experience was important. Thes reforms should appear the spontaneous gift of Britain and the nation to the people of India.

No discussion took place in the House of Commons. The Times welcomes the general character of the proposed reforms, specially in increasing the strength of the Legislative .Councils, but gravely doubts the expediency of the reforms affecting the composition and vigor of local and central executives. The Standard says the proposed reforms will not appease the extremist section of Indian home rulers, white the moderates will only regard them as a partial concession of the demands. Nevertheless it is a spirited attempt to solve a tremendous problem. The Daily says the scheme is incomplete, but will help Britain to regain the moral strength and influence which 6he has been losing for a dccade._ The Telegraph is neither pessimistic nor sanguine, but is expectant. It says that certainly the utmost has been conceded, which the present circumstances admit of.

The Chronicle declares it a great scheme. A CONGRESS PROHIBITED. CALCUTTA, December 18. The Indian authorities prohibited an extremist congress, to have been held at Nagpur, in opposition to the moderate national congress at Madras J