13 JULY 1918, Page 2

The authors of the Report next outline the changes that

they desire to bring about. Their " first formula " is that " there- should be as far as possible-complete popular control in local-bodies and the largest possible independence for them of outside control " —a formula which will excite much envy in the British local bodies dominated from Whitehall. Their " second formula " is that the provinces must he given " the largest measure of independence, legislative, administrative, and financial, of the Government of India." The Provincial Executive will be composed of the Governor and an Executive Council of one European and one Indian, with' Indian Ministers nominated by the Governor from the elected members of the Legislative Council, and one or more officials to advise them. The Indian Ministers are to be respoisible to the -Legislative Council -in regard to certain "transferred subjects" hereafter to be defined. The Legislative Council is to have a " sub- . stantial " • elected majority, chosen by direct election on a broad franchise which is to be determined by a Committee. The Execu- tive will be in . part responsible and in part irresponsible to the Legislature. -The scheme—which is in substance, though not in detail, that of Mr. Curtis—can, the Report urges, " be -worked by mutual forbearance and a strong common purpose ". among the officialand unofficial members of the Provincial Government.