THE     STATES     ENQUIRY     COMMITTEE      57
in the  paramountcy of  the British Crown  and that the
right might be exercised at the sole discretion of the Crown.
The Princes as an Order were alarmed at the interpretation
put by the Viceroy on the fundamental rights of the States
implied in their Treaties and engagements with the Crown.
As the time for the re-examination of the Reforms approached
they put forward various claims in regard to some matters
of joint interest to British India and the Indian States
They found in Lord Irwin a Viceroy who shared their deep
concern about the future relations between the Indian States
and British India. To him they expressed their desire that
before a new Constitution for British India was submitted
to Parliament " it is essential that the opinions, wishes, and
aspirations of the States should be ascertained in regard to
the effect upon them, both of proposals for British India
and as to the constitutional machinery which will best
ensure wise, harmonious and easy co-operation between the
Governments of British India and the Governments of the
States in the future." ^1
In July 1927, the Viceroy accordingly convened a
Conference, at which it was decided to appoint a Committee
of Enquiry to examine the whole question. Sir Harcourt
Butler, G.C.S.L, G.C.I.E., a distinguished administrator, was
invited to be the Chairman of the Committee, the other
members being the Hon. Sidney Peel and Professor Sir
William Holdsworth. The terms of reference were :
 (1)	To report upon the relationship between the Paramount
Power and the States, with particular reference to the
rights and obligations arising from (a) treaties, engage-
ments, and sanads, and (&) usage, sufferance, and other
causes; and
 (2)	To enquire into the financial and economic relations
between British India and the States and to make any
recommendations that they may consider desirable or
necessary for their more satisfactory adjustment.
^1 See " The British Crown and the Indian States/' by the Directorate
of the Special Organization of the Chamber of Princes. P. S, King & Son:
1929.