(_London Times_ May 13, 1919)
The reports of the two Committees which sat in India from early in
November to the end of February last to fill out the framework of
the Montagu-Chelmsford Report published last July were issued last
night.
The Franchise Committee, of which Lord Southborough was chairman,
recommend a scheme of territorial constituencies, urban and rural,
the latter based on the existing land revenue districts, together
with communal representation for Mohammedans and Sikhs (as
contemplated in the original scheme) and for Indian Christians,
Europeans, and Anglo-Indians: and the representation of special
interests, including commerce and industry.
The other Committee, of which Mr. R. Feetham was chairman, make
detailed recommendations as to the division of functions between
the Government of India and the provincial Governments, and also
between "reserved" and "transferred" subjects in the provinces.
Proposals are made for the modification in some important respects
(notably in the powers conferred on the Governor) of the
"diarchial" system in the provinces set forth in what is
conveniently called the "Joint Report."
As was indicated in _The Times_ on April 5, Lord Southborough's
Committee have not accepted the appeals addressed to them in the
interest of woman suffrage. They found it advocated "rather on general
grounds than on considerations of practicability." They are satisfied
that the social conditions of India would make such a step now
premature. They are of opinion, however, that at the revision of the
constitutions of the councils proposed in the Joint Report 10 years
after their reconstitution the matter should be reconsidered in the
light of the experience gained and of social conditions as they then
exist.