His Honour''s Reply

SIR James Meston's reply to this address reads like a slap on the face so far as this particular point is concerned. He does not seem to think that the so-called natural leadership or the aristocracy of acres constitutes the sole title to the position of advisers to Government. Among other duties of an exemplary zamindar, he pointed out, was the education of his children. It was not edifying, said he, to see a zamindar member of the Legislative Council reading speeches written by others. They should be able to make their own speeches. Sir James Meston has done a public service to the province over which he rules, as well as to the zamindars whom he addressed, when he brought home to them how sorry a figure an ill-taught zamindar cut in the Legislative Council. Such a being whatever his other qualifications and however estimable he might be otherwise, it at best an anachronism as a spokesman of the public, and the sooner such are persuaded to betake themselves to higher education the better for-all concerned.