Observations on the Viceroy’s speech

IT is impossible to review a speech extending over more than 10 columns of The Tribune, and dealing at great length with practically the whole range of current political and economic subjects, in the course of a leading article. We shall, therefore, be best consulting both our own inclination and the wishes of our readers if we confine our observations on the Viceroy’s speech to such matters dealt with by His Excellency as are of the widest interest to the public. The first of such matters is the position of Indians abroad. For some time past, this has mainly meant the position of Indians in East and South Africa. As regards the first, His Excellency was forced to admit that of the four points in dispute in Kenya, the position as regards two — the questions of the franchise and the Highlands — remained unaltered despite the representations of the Government of India and earnest pleadings of the deputation sent by them to England in April last. On the other hand, the further restrictions that were about this time last year on the point of being imposed upon the immigration of Indians had now been removed, while as regards colonisation, it was proposed to reserve an area in the Lowlands for agricultural emigrants from India. These obviously inadequate concessions, which His Excellency strangely described as substantial gains, coupled with the acceptance of the Government of India’s representations to secure the hearings of the Indian point of view before the East Africa Committee, represent the sum total of the government’s achievement in this sphere.

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