Lord Lothian on India It is reassuring to find so
sound an observer as Lord Lothian striking a note of guarded optimism in his farewell message to 'India. The measures recommended in his Committee's franchise report will; if they are idopted, form the basis of the elections for the first
Parliament under the new constitution, and in expressing a hope that those elections will take place in 1938 Lord Lothian makes it clear that his influence will be exerted to hasten the steps. that have still to be taken to bring the new constitution into being. He is rather taken to task by the Special Correspondent of The Times at 'Simla for referring With some respect to " those who are making sacrifices to-day for the sake of their OWII ideas of the road to self-government and reforms." in an appeal to them to throw themselves into construetive work ; but the Chairman of the Franchise Committee evidently recognizes better than Ids critic the difficulties
• to be faced if the constitution has to be worked in face of the continued hostility of a large and well-organized section of the Indian .people. Lord Lothian's message as a whole admirably exemplifies the spirit in which this . country should carry through the transition to full self-government in India.
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