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a Resolution in the House of Commons in favour of Simultaneous Examinations for the Indian Civil Services. Mr. Dadabhai Naoroji, who was then in Parliament, supported the Resolution, and it was carried. The acceptance of the Resolution by the House fell like a bombshell upon the official world here. The India Office lost no time in repudiating it. Sir Henry Fowler was at that time Secretary of State for India, the selfsame politician who declared amid the cheers of the House that every member of Parliament was a member for India, a declaration which we here in India understood to mean that what is everybody's business is nobody's business. He held that it was a snatch vote, that it did not represent the sense or judgment of the House of Commons, and that the Government was not bound by it. But there was the vote; and the Secretary of State sought to get over it by a reference to the authorities in India. The opinion of the Government of India and of the Local Governments was invited. Everybody knew what that opinion would be. With the exception of the Government of Madras, every Local Government was opposed to the vote. Nor was this the only occasion when Madras won pre-eminence by the liberality of its views. In the days of Lord Lytton, when the Vernacular Press Law was enacted, the Government of Madras under the Duke of Buckingham objected to the measure, and it was not extended to that Presidency.

When the reference was under discussion, Sir Anthony MacDonnell was officiating as Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, Sir Charles Elliott having taken leave for six months. He sent for me, and I had a long conversation with him at 'Belvedere'. Let me reproduce, as far as I can, the substance of the conversation. Perhaps a dialogue would best represent what passed between the Lieutenant-Governor and myself.

The Lieutenant-Governor: Why is it, Mr. Banerjea, you are so keen about simultaneous examinations?

Mr. Banerjea: Because, your Honour, we have lost all faith in nomina- tions, and because we think that simultaneous examinations alone can give us our fair share of appointments in the Indian Civil Service, and redeem the Queen's Proclamation.

The Lieutenant-Governor: But, under the recommendations of the Public Services Commission, a number of listed appointments have been thrown open to your countrymen in the Provincial Service, and you can also compete in England.

Mr. Banerjea: Your Honour, I repeat, nominations by Government

cannot, and will not, satisfy us. By the Statute of 1870, it was provided