The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-18 00:00:00

THE INDIAN COUNCIL OF STATE.

Mr. GRAVES called attention to the constitution
of the Council of State for India, and moved
that in the opinion of the House it was
desirable that the Council would employ amongst
its members persons practically conversant with
the trade and commerce of India. The policy he advocated
was not a new one. The member for Buckinghamshire,
when he introduced the bill for giving a new constitution
to the India Board, proposed that there should be five
members representing the five great centres of industry in
this country. The proposal was objected to in the
House, and ultimately abandoned, partly in consequence
of the difficulty of finding a suitable franchise, bait more
especially, he suspected, because it was difficult and_incon-
sistent with their policy to reconcile popular election with
executive officers. The hon. gentleman proceeded to quote
from petitions, as indicating opinions in favour of the
proposal. He might add to the testimony he had pre-
sented to the House that of Manchester, but hoped that
the hon. members of that city would themselves state the
feeling in that part of the country on the subject to which
he had called the attention of the House. He was sure
the trade of India was but yet in its infancy, and if they
only gave free scope and legitimate encouragement to
it, it would develope itself to an extent that now was
scarcely to be imagined. As matters stood now he did
not think that the salary of £1,200 a year was suffi-
cient to attract able and qualified men from the
counting-house—men who were well conversant with the
wants of the country—to seek appointments in the
Indian Board. He hoped the Government would not
meet his resolution with a hostile spirit, as he had taken
the greatest care to frame it with the greatest moderation,
as he felt the adoption of it would lead to the most bene-
ficial result.

Mr. R. W. CRAWFORD agreed with the hon. gentleman
that it was of the least importance to have the
highest ability at the Indian Council, but to adopt
the resolution by the hon. member would lead to a neces-
sity for an alteration in the constitution of the Council
in some particulars. The proposition therefore was not
consistent with the law as it now stood, although he did
not scruple to say he should very much like to see mem-
bers of that house made eligible for service at the
Board.

Mr. EASTWICK thought that some change in the Indian
Council was absolutely necessary. The system of appoint-
ment was now open to much objection, and the sooner it
was reconsidered and altered, the better, because at
present it was almost impossible to find a person possessed
of all the necessary qualifications who would be inclined
to accept the onerous oppointment if offered to him.
Sir THOMAS BAZLEY had had frequent occasion to go to
the India Office in London, and he had always found
the Under Secretary of State for India, and all connected
with the department, willing to receive suggestions for the
benefit of the trade and commerce. He thought that the
occasion for bringing forward the motion was singularly
inopportune, seeing that it was impossible, having regard
to the measures they had in hand, for Government to
enter into new legislation. If the resources of India
were to be developed, it was imperative that it should
be by a resident body. He believed that the Secre-
tary of State for India had signified his intention to
appoint commercial men on the Indian Council as_soon
as
circumstances permitted.
Mr. GRANT-DUFF thought it was extremely desirable
that there should be in the Council one or more persons
whose duty it should principally be to keep their eyes
always fixed upon the commercial government of India.
Such persons should in all respects be on a level with their
colleagues. It was necessary, if they were to be of use at
all, they must be persons of real mark and ability, and he
asked how many men in this country, where commercial
aptitude brought in such golden returns, would be willing
to "reign over the trees in St. James's Park," with a salary
of £1,200 a year. He asked Mr. Graves to be content
with the general expression of agreement with the prin-
ciple of the motion made by him on the part of the
Government, and not to press the proposition to a division.
Mr. Muraz thought the Government would have
allowed the motion to have been passed. He spoke of
the immense undeveloped resources of India, and strongly
represented the importance of the introduction of the
commercial element in the Council.
Mr. GRAHAM followed in a similar address, and urged
the paramount importance of commercial representation.

Sir CHARLES WINGFIELD was convinced that the more
public opinion could be informed as to the affairs of India
the better would it be for the country, and the more likely
would it be that English capital would be attracted to the
great empire, and embarked in enterprises which would de-
velope the resources of the country. He pointed out that
the commercial representatives would not be able to give
any advice on matters of administration beyond their own
sphere. He believed the results of the proposed change would
be of a negative character, and would not alter the prin-
ciples upon which the Government of India was con-
ducted.

Mr. GLADSTONE said that if they passed the motion it
would bind them to a very limited choice. Those who
were practically acquainted with the trade and commerce
of India formed but a small body, and of that not very
numerous class a large portion were entirely beyond their
reach. They must look into the habits of a man, and a
man with less positive knowledge, more efficient training,
and elasticity of thought and faculty, was the sort of per-
son to whom they should look. From the discussion in the
House, it appeared that there was a disposition to
enlarge the circle of the elements of which the
Indian Council was composed, and, that being the
case, he asked the hon. member for Liverpool to withdraw
the motion, as it would embarrass the selection of the
Secretary of State for India.
The motion was then withdrawn.