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Here there was no difference between Moderates and Extremists, except perhaps in regard to details. The sense of indignation at the proceedings of the Punjab Government was universal through- out India, and was shared by our countrymen residing in England. It is a matter of regret that the Despatch of the Secretary of State was not more thorough in its sense of disapproval, and more emphatic in its tone of condemnation; and the situation was aggra- vated by the subsequent debate in the House of Lords. Time is a great mollifier; but the sore has not yet healed; and the poison still lurks in the subterranean depths of the public consciousness in the Punjab, with its sympathetic reaction upon other provinces. It comes to the surface when contributory circumstances wake old memories. It is a grave warning to the rulers of men, of the incal- culable mischief of wrongdoing in all high matters of State. Injustice truly revenges itself with compound interest. That is the writing on the wall for statesman to read and profit by.

There were other activities, outside the immediate sphere of the Deputation, in which I had to take part. The Secretary of State appointed me a member of a committee to enquire into and report upon the institutions of Local Self-government in England as regards their applicability to Indian conditions. My colleagues were all members of the Indian Civil Service who were on leave in England. I got on very well with them. They were kind, courteous and sympathetic to the only non-official member of the Committee and tried to help me. Among them were Mr. Lindsay, late Magis- trate of the 24-Parganas, Mr. Clarke, Commissioner in the Central Provinces, and Mr. Allen of the Assam Commission. My duties, as a member of the Deputation, prevented my giving as much time to work of the Committee as I should have liked. But I attended several of its meetings and the conferences held in connexion with its work. I visited Birmingham and saw the wonderful sewerage outfall of the town, which I was told cost two millions sterling. We went all over the works and did not perceive the faintest trace of a bad smell in the place. I discussed with the engineer in charge the question of effluents discharged into the Hugli from the septic tanks in the mill areas. He was of opinion that, however much they might be sterilized, they must contribute to the pollution of the river water. He condemned it as a bad system.

In due time, the Committee submitted its Report. I signed it, subject to a supplementary note in which I strongly urged the formation of a Local Government Board in each province in India.