THE VICEROY’S SPEECH AT MADRAS

HIS Excellency the Viceroy, in his joint reply to the various addresses presented to him by public bodies in Madras, to which a reference has already been made in these columns, dwelt, among other things, on some of the important questions of the day. He complimented Madras on its share in winning the war and replied to certain questions raised in regard to the position of Indians in the Army. Referring to the important subject of the King’s Commissions, he said an opening had been created for Indians for future advancement, and as they acquired the requisite professional education and experience they would have opportunities for employment in more responsible positions. “The grant of Commissions,” he said, “is an accomplished fact, and though at present it is on a small scale, still the principle is established and I have every hope that it will be possible to extend it.” His Excellency then alluded to the position of Indians in the Indian Defence Force, and said that it was engaging the attention of the Government. His Excellency will permit us to point out that the question as regards both these matters is essentially one of the length of time within which the ideal is to be realised, and that language like his, however welcome it might have been some years ago, is scarcely calculated to arouse much enthusiasm to-day. The Viceroy next spoke on problems connected with the Municipality. It had been pointed out in some of the addresses that the death rate was increasing and that the conditions of city life were far from healthy or happy and required the adoption of several development schemes which it was beyond the unaided resources of the local bodies to finance. His Excellency sympathised with the citizens in their difficulties, but stated that local bodies should try to depend on their own resources in future and not on Imperial doles. He thought that Madras showed comparatively light assessment of rates and taxes and asked the Corporation to study the local burdens.

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