POLITICAL DIFFERENCES AND SOCIAL AMENITIES

THE speech made by Lord Chelmsford in inaugurating the Reform Club, named after him, at Delhi shows the change which the present political situation in India has produced in the mentality of high officials and their lack of true insight into that situation. We do not think a Viceroy with the general views and sympathies of Lord Chelmsford would two years ago have either taken the leading part that His Excellency did in bringing such a club into existence, or have expatiated with enthusiasm, as he did, on the necessity of the official and non-official members not allowing their political differences to stand in the way of personal friendships or social amenities. The reforms added considerably to the influence of the non-official members. Undoubtedly, the power of the central Executive remains very much what it was before the reforms were inaugurated, but they can enjoy that power on only one of two conditions. Either they must be able to carry the Legislature with them or they must constantly bear down the opposition of a hostile Legislature by the use of powers that in their very nature are exceptional and not for everyday use. Similarly, the non-co-operation movement has brought to our officials bedfellows whom until recently they had kept at an arm’s length. Asking His Excellency to open the club, Sir William Vincent had said in his speech that many of the differences of opinion that exist among Europeans and Indians, particularly among non-officials, could be overcome by friendly discussions at the club where they would appreciate one another’s point of view. And yet until recently an attempt in the direction of facilitating social intercourse between Indians and Europeans, between officials and non-officials, had formed no part of the activities of the class of officials of whom Lord Chelmsford and Sir William Vincent may be taken as the type.

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