186 FAREWELL BANQUET 



THE REFORMED COUNCIL. 



Up to two years ago my connection with the 

 Council was primarily financial. During the last 

 two years, however, I have been very much more 

 closely connected with the Council owing to the 

 honour conferred on me by the Viceroy which 

 has empowered me to preside at its deliberations 

 as His Excellency's representative. 



When presiding over any assembly, it is easier 

 to note its character, to gauge the value of its 

 work, and to appreciate the tone which pervades 

 it, more fully than is possible during an active 

 participation in the actual debating; and I think 

 I can speak with some assurance, and that I may 

 hold that my judgment of the Council is the out- 

 come of greater experience of it than that of any- 

 one else in this country. I have no hesitation in 

 saying that our Legislative Council bears the 

 most favourable comparison with the best analo- 

 gous assemblies in other countries, and I am well 

 acquainted with many, and that it is immeasurably 

 superior to the remainder. The eloquence of 

 some of its members is of the highest order; the 

 single-minded desire to further the interests of 

 the country is universal; and the determination 

 to respect the rulings of the chair so as to maintain 

 good order in debate and uphold the honour and 

 good name of the Council, is as conspicuous as it is 

 successful. 



Important classes among you I quote Lord 

 Morley - - representing ideas that have been 

 fostered and encouraged by British rule claim 

 equality of citizenship and a greater share in 

 legislation and government. The politic satis- 

 faction of such a claim will strengthen, not impair, 

 existing authority and power; and a marked step 

 towards the satisfaction of that claim was taken 



