LORD IRWIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 May 1931, Page 5

LORD IRWIN

RETURN TO ENGLAND GLOWING TRIBUTE TO WORK AS VICEROY (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, 3rd May. Tn connection with to-day’s great national welcome to Lord Irwin on his return home after a memorable period of office as the King’s representative in India, “The Times” in a leading article pays a high tribute to his work as Viceroy. It says that he laboured incessantly to break down two great obstacles to peace and prosperity in India —violent dissensions among the Indians themselves and their common deep-seated suspicion of British good faith. By his own force of character he succeeded in winning the confidence of all reasonable elements in every quarter of that vast assemblage of communities, for bis reputation stood as high at his departure with his colleagues in the Administration, with the princes, and with Europeans as with the various leaders of British and Indian politics. No one, and least of all he himself, would suggest either the Indian feuds have been brought to an end in his time, or that the wave of anti-British agitation has subsided just because he has compelled Gandhi to recognise his sincerity, but at least India knows the broad outlines of the progress which is open to her if she is capable of making it, and the immediate and absolute limitations upon self-government which her own interests no less than ours demand. Lord Irwin has not solved the Indian problem but he has pointed the way by which courage and faith and patience like his own will solve it in the end.

HONOUR CONFERRED (Received 4th May, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, 3rd May. The King lias conferred the Order of the Garter on Lord Irwin.