Lord Linlithgow's Address The Viceroy's address at Simla to a
joint session of the Council of State and the Legislative Assembly struck a good note, and has been well received by Indian opinion generally. The Congress party stayed away from the sitting ; but the decision to abstain, which was that of a few leaders, does not seem to have particularly pleased their rank and file. The Viceroy laid well-justified stress on the democratic principles inherent in the new Indian Consti- tution, and the contrast which it presents in that respect to the totalitarian and dictatorial tendencies manifest in other lands. He expressed his confidence in the future good relations between Indian Ministers and the Civil Service ; and he sent the Provincial Governments a cordial message of good will. He then dealt at some length with the prospects of All-India Federation, acknowledging its difficulties, but emphasising the great advantages, which the country could obtain from it, and from it alone. The impression which he conveyed to his hearers was that Federation is a good deal nearer than most of them had thought.
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