RETIREMENT OF LORD RIPON FROM VICER0Y OF INDIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1931, 20 November 1884, Page 4

RETIREMENT OF LORD RIPON FROM VICEROY OF INDIA.

I , - — *+-- - , - I ' Tlic retirement -of Cord Ripon from tlio position of "^iceijoy of India .and tlio appointment or the Earl of Dtiffcrin to the vacant positiou constitute <"iVo most impoitant events in British politics, (fc is pretty generally concedfed now that the selection of Lord Ripon for tins exceedingly ditfienlt and highly-import-ant otiioe was an unwise action. 'Lord Itipou ia a gentleman of great purity ot pei&oual character, unimpeachable integrity ot purpose, and a well-cultured mind. These are attributes which should be possessed by her Majesty's i epresent<iti\ c in her greatest colonial dependancy, but they should be possessed m conjunction with many others of equal, it not greater, importance, which the noble gentleman lacks. He is destitute of that diplomatic skill, farre iching discernment and firmness of purpose which are essential and necessary to the pioper discharge of the duties of Viceroy ot India. The consequences have been, to a certain extent, disastrous. . The present condition of tifiaus m India is anything but satisfactory. Strong teelings of antagonism are said to exist between the various races, classes and castors : the loyalty of the native > Princes is somewhat .sliaken, and th e tone of the native press, which has lately become quite a power, is sullen and querulous toward the Government. The retirement of Lord Ripon was under these circumstances, an absolute and pressing necessity, although some less embarrassing official explanation will be found for it. Mr Gladstone, too, is to be congratulated m having been able to put his hand upon so capable and reliable a man to repair the injuries which have been done. The task is one of exceeding delicacy and diificnlty, but it is one for which the Earl of Dufi'eriti is exceptionally well equipped. He is a trained diplomat of great experience and a statesman of broad, comprehensive views. He has clearness of vision to show him what is right and strength of mind to enable him to carry out the dictates of his judgment. He will rapidly impress the susceptible Hindoo and Mohammedan mind with a respect for his power and ability, and when that is done more than half the battle will have been won, for these people will always res2>eet a superior, but never an infeiior. They must always be able to look up to their ruler ; theie is danger it they think they can look down at him. It may be conceded that Eail of Dntterin's ad ministration will consolidate and strengthen the British Empire in India.