VICEROY OF INDIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19291, 1 April 1926, Page 9

VICEROY OF INDIA

EARL OF READING RETIRING. DEPARTURE FROM DELHI. (Received 5.5 p.m.l Re n tpr. DELHI. March 30. The Earl of Heading, retiring Viceroy of India, left Delhi this evening. Prior to his departure the earl was hidden an enthusiastic farewell. The English newspapers pay a great tribute to the success of his work in his Vice-Regal post. His Excellency will sail from Bombay for England on April 3. The Earl of Heading was appointed Viceroy of India early in 1921 in succession to Lord Chelmsford. He took up a difficult task. India was seething with unrest. Extremists were abusing British officials and calling for the cessation of British rule. Then came the Moplah rising, the (boycott of the Prince of Wales' visit, the Chatiri Chaura outrage, the post-war financial slump which hit the country very hard, and the Mahotnmedan dissatisfaction with Britain's attitude toward Turkev. Moreover the Viceroy had to give effect, to the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms. He displayed his customary tact and diplomacy, and was very forbearing—some thought too much so—toward the disturbers of the peace. But during the five years which have elapsed since he took 'office the situation has greatly improved. In April, 1925, Lord Reading returned to England for, four months at tho request of the British Government for a personal discussion of Indian affairs. He is believed in some quarters to favour certain concessions to Indian aspirations without waiting till 1929. according to plan. His successor is Lord Invin of Kirby-under-Dale, formerly the Hon. E. F. L. Wood, Minister for AgricuTt-.ire in Mr. Stanley Baldwin's Cabinet, who was appointed Viceroy on November 3, 1925.