The Commissioner versus Mr. Gandhi

THE full text of the Commissioner's speech published by the Bombay Chronicle shows that the Commissioner's reference to Mr. Gandhi, if it was partly eulogistic, was not entirely free from a vein of sarcasm. "Mahatma Gandhi," said Mr. Pratt, "is an exceedingly good and saintly soul. And whatever advice he gives you he goes with the purest of intention and in the full consciousness that it is in your interest." This is very good, but it is immediately followed by the remark that Mr. Gandhi has nothing to lose and that all the loss will have to be suffered by the ryots. "During the passive resistance campaign in South Africa," said Mr. Pratt, "Mahatma Gandhi has to go to Jail. But under this Government such a thing will not happen."