This is how the matter now stands. Lord Reading has
very wisely not committed the common error of Governments which refuse to explain their actions, but has issued a detailed statement of the reasons which have led him to overrule the Assembly. It is a con- vincing document, which lays bare very frankly the position of the Government and the absolute necessity of securing this year a Budget that balances after five years of deficit. The salt tax is a traditionally obnoxious measure, but the incidence of the present additions cannot be called oppressive since it is said to work out at something like 8d. per annum per head. We shall now see whether the Montagu-Chelmsford Constitution will stand the strain that has thus inevitably been thrown upon it. It is, indeed, not the first time that the Viceroy has used his powers of certification, but it seems as though the present case, on the always crucial point of taxation, will form the precedent of success or of failure under the new system. It is idle to deplore the rashness of the Assembly in thus rejecting a demonstrably neces- sary measure. The Constitution was expressly framed to meet such rashness, inevitable in a people utterly unused to self-goverrunent. We shall see whether the dyarchy was adequately safeguarded or not.
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