Mr. Feetham's Committee had to consider the partition of powers
between the Central and Provincial Governments, and between the British and native Departments in the provinces. The Excise and education, for example, are to be managed by the provinces. As for the " diarchy " in the provinces, native " Ministers " are apparently to control the schools and the public health service. Inasmuch as the welfare of the silent millions if India depends on the efficiency of the Departments which fight the plague and cholera, we shall incur a very serious risk by entrusting such Departments to inexpert hands. The Committee, evidently impressed by the perils of a " diarchy " or twofold administration in which the Government officials will manage one set of Departments and the native " Ministers " another set, has sought to mend matters by making the Governor more of an autocrat than he is at present. The Governor will have power to dismiss a Minister, though Ministers are to be nominally responsible to the Provincial Council. Mr. Montagu's grandiose scheme becomes more astonishing as it develops.
Previous page
