LORD ISLINGTON AND INDIAN AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17121, 16 April 1921, Page 12

LORD ISLINGTON AND INDIAN AFFAIRS.

(FROM Ol'R OWN COR RESPONDENT.) LONDON, February 24

Loi'4. Islington has returned to 1 guidon after a month spent in the Soutli oi' Franco, an event which is really in the 'nature of n liolidny to him, and not a more change of residence, for his numerous public activities keep him very fully occupied. As chairman of the National (savings Committee he holds a position which demands unremitting attention, while lie is one of the most active members of the House of Lords. He tells me he has just.been appointed chairman of a Joint Advisory Committee" on Indian affairs. This is an entirely new departure in British politics. lileven members of each House ai;e to. be selected, and their advice on those "reserve questions of Indian aft fairs which are still in the hands of the British Government wili largely influence the Government and the India Office in their future policy. In addition, the Indian Government itself will probably look to the new Joint Committee for advice and guidance. The committee, which will consist of members of every political colour, will, as far as possible, be made tip of men who have first-hand knowledgo of India, and the names of the selected menibers are to .be submitted to Parliament in the course. of a few days for approval. With regard to matters pertaining to the Colonial Offiqp, Lord Islington made use of the historical phrase, "Wait and see," but with reference to the subject of a separate representation for the Dominions at Home, he was of the opinion that the general feeling among politicians in this was that the Dominions roust, decide these matters for themselves. No one now had the desire to intrude in. questions which were of exclusive interest to the self-govenjf ing States. The wholo matter, he thought, would be gone into at the meeting of the Imperial Cabinet in June.