INDIA’S PROBLEMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3154, 25 February 1911, Page 10

INDIA’S PROBLEMS.

NEW VICEROY'S REPLY TO THE REFORMERS.

Sir William Woodburn, who presided at the Indian National Congress, delivered' an address to the Viceroy on January 5 on behalf of the Congress. It expresesd gratitude for the reforms recently introduced, urged the separation of the judicial and executive functions, pressed for an inquiry into the needs of education, and heartily welcomed Lord Hardinge as Viceroy. Lord Hardinge, replying, said: “To any student- of the history of this country for the past 100 years, it must be clearly evident that it has been the aim of England to promote the material welfare and: happiness of the Indian people, and the prosperity and progress "which are visible on all sides at the present day are indisputable proofs that this policy lias ‘been attended by a considerable measure of success to the material- advancement of the Indian people. There has now been added a large measure of political concession in the expansion of the Legislative Councils on a wider and more representative.nasis, and in the appointment of Indians to the Executive Council of the Viceroy and: to the local governments, as. also to the’ Council of the Secretary of State, thus giving- them a large. share in the management of public affairs. These reforms are still in their infancy, and require careful consolidation. “In the body of the address you refer to various broad questions affecting the welfars of the masses of the people. The realisation of some of these proposals would entail a very considerable increase to the normal expenditure, and the Government would in all probability'require new sources of revenue to meet it. The educational problem is one of these. However, the Government have taken it in hand, and the creation of a separate department to deal with education may he regarded as an earnest of their intentions'. “I am pleased to sec here your .president, Sir William Wedderlmrn. whose efforts to reconcile existing differences between Hindus and Mussulmans have my entire sympathy and my best wishes for their'complete success. I thank you for the cordial welcome you have extended to me on assuming the high office confided to me by the King-Em-porer.”—-Reuter.