Though the - result of Tuesday's meeting was never in serious
dOubt so sweeping a majority could not be counted on. As it is a new situation is created. The Bill to be introduced after Christmas is secure of a smooth passage through the House of Commons, and the misgivings once felt about the action of the Lords can safely be dismissed. Not of course that the Bill will, or should, go uncriticized. If it follows closely, as it no doubt will, the recommendations of the Select Committee there will be room for amendment at several points. The proposed indirect election to the Central Legislature, in particular, is highly debatable, though in our view justified as a temporary measure. But the main lines of the Bill are already accepted, for its Con- servative opponents are much weaker .relatively in the House of Commons than they were at the Queen's Hall. The demonstration of general Conservative support will disarm many suspicions in India, where the first reactions against the Select Committee's report appear to have spent their force. The signs are that all parties will take the new constitution and work it, however little they may like various features of it.
