INDIAN CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS 103
Supreme Legislative Council which I am inclined to Asking of
recommend is, that, under proper restrictions to "be laid ques?,0fs
i i i TT- - i i t t t « should be
down by the Viceroy, its members should be permitted allowed in
to ask questions in reference to current matters of Vice.r°y'.s
domestic, as distinguished from those of Imperial
interest, that may have attracted public attention . . . ,
Under existing circumstances the Government of India
has no adequate medium through which it can explain
its policy, correct a wrong impression, or controvert a
false statement, and, though up to the present time
the consequences of the evils I have indicated may not
have become very serious or widespread, they contain
the germs of incalculable danger. Consequently it
would prove as great an advantage to the Administra-
tion as it would frequently be a satisfaction to the
members of the Council and the public at large, if
reasonable opportunities were afforded of communicat-
ing to those interested the exact facts in regard to any
questionable matter.
III. Observations on Liberalization of
Administration.
It now appears to my colleagues and to myself.,
i,., f , i . Txmerifce
that the time has come for us to take another step in f or further
the development of the same liberal policy, and to Kberalia-
give, to quote my own words, * a still wider share in tloŁ °*
the administration of public affairs to such Indian
gentlemen as by their influence, their acquirements,
and the confidence they inspire in their fellow-country-
men are marked out as fitted to assist with their
counsels the responsible rulers of the country'. But it
is necessary that there should be no mistake as to the
nature of our aims, or of the real direction in which we
propose to move. Our scheme may be briefly described
as a plan for the enlargement of our Provincial Outlines o!
Councils, for the enhancement of their status, the ^ea^L
multiplication of their functions, the partial introduc- Provincial
tion into them of the elective principle, and the Councils
liberalization of their general character as political
institutions. From this it might be concluded that we
were contemplating an approach/ at all events as far