Last Saturday Lord Reading received at Simla a deputation of
Indians, who protested against Mr. Lloyd George's speech in the House of Commons on August 2nd. It will be remembered that 'Kr. Lloyd George then said that the British connexion in India would certainly continue; he eulogized the British element in the fndian Civil Service, and declared that the maintenance of this element was essential. He also spoke of the reforms in India as
an "experiment." This word has evidently caused great offence, though it is very difficult to understand why it should have-done so, as the Act of 1919 -defining, the reform scheme provides that after ten years a Commission of:Inquiry shall be appointed to examine the new raethods■of administration and to deeide whether they shall ,be extended 'or-restricted. What is that but an experiment ? The Viceroy told the deputation that he welcomed the opportunity of completely relieving appre- hensions. He said that after reading and re-reading Mr. Lloyd George's speech he could- find no real ground for "the sombre and almost sinister view" that it was ineonftiet with, the-deelared policy of the British Parliament.
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