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Is sorry that Mrs Pandit was unable to attend the garden party at Wimbledon. In the circumstances he will discuss his intended visit to India with someone else. Asks whether it would be best to speak to the Minister or someone else at India House.

[Atholl Hydropathic, Pitlochry?]—After climbing Ben y Vrackie he and his companions had tea at Moulin. He found her parcel waiting for him at the hydro.

(Letter-head of 87 Clements Inn, W.C., but evidently written in Scotland.)

Lord Pethick-Lawrence will not be able to speak at the meeting on 18 April (see 1/101).

(Text as 1/103a.)

‘The Labour Record and Review’, 19 St Bride Street, London, E.C.—Was sorry to leave her this morning with so many worries. Has spoken with Roscoe, the lawyer, and is about to see Joseph Edwards of the Reformer’s Year Book. Draws her attention to an article in the Independent Review.

Reviews the changes that have taken place since he attended the Indian National Congress at Gauhati in 1926, and reflects on the current problems facing India.

(Carbon copy of a typed original. The article was written for a Souvenir published in connection with the 63rd Indian National Congress. See 2/102–3.)

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Transcript

THE CHANGING EAST.
By Rt Hon Lord Pethick-Lawrence

In 1926 I attended the meeting of the Indian National Congress in Gauhati. I am most interested therefore to learn that it is being held there again this year.

What changes have taken place in the 31 intervening years! Then, Congress was still fighting an uphill battle for independence. Now, India ranks among the great nations of the world. Then the self-governing members of the Commonwealth consisted solely of peoples of European extraction. Now it includes peoples of Asia and Africa.

When I was a boy, India used to be spoken of as part of the “Unchanging East”. No one says that today. Everyone can see that India is changing very fast.

One of the reasons why I have come to India now in my 86th year is to try to find out how India is responding to the claims of the new age. During the few weeks that I have been here I have kept my eyes and ears open and I have learnt a great deal about your problems. I realise how great they are in number and intensity. Here are just a few of them:— Education, language, caste and custom, races, power, employment, population, finance, riches and poverty, social welfare, democratic institutions, international relationships.

I have stayed long enough to realise what a colossal task you have to tackle. But it has been much too short for me to come to any well-balanced conclusion as to the degree of your success. Indeed I doubt whether anyone even with far better knowledge than I is yet in a position to measure your all-round progress. In my view another ten or fifteen years will have to elapse before this can be done.

What I can tell you is that your efforts are being watched with the deepest and most friendly interest by the people of my country and by other members of the Commonwealth.

We want so much that you should succeed magnificently. We want so much that your people should increase their standard of life and their stature. We want to see India playing a noble part in the world.

May this Congress at Gauhati bring nearer these high ends!

House of Lords.—Invites his correspondent to the annual dinner of Labour Peers.

(Place of writing not indicated.)—Has received his letter. Refers to their ‘sweet time’ together last night.

(Dated Tuesday.)

Stanstead Hall, Halstead, Essex.—Thanks him for his letter of sympathy (on the death of his wife).

Gives an account of his recent visit to India and Pakistan.

P.O. Box 1896, Addis Ababa.—Thanks him for his kind words on the death of his mother. They are trying to complete some of her projects, and a memorial issue of the Observer is being prepared.

Commissioner’s House, Agra.—Discusses the ratios between the earnings of high and low income groups in India. Preparations are being made for Macmillan’s visit.

East Braynes, Wiveliscombe, Somerset.—Asks whether any steps are being taken to revise the pensions of persons formerly employed in India, like himself.

(Place of writing not indicated.)—Praises his work at The Echo* and refers to various items in the press. Has finished the Board Schools today, and is just off to see Miss Montagu.

(Dated Tuesday.)

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Transcript

Tuesday afternoon.

Thank you for your letters dearest[—]am interested in your measures at the Echo—& am quite sure that you have done the right thing—have infinite confidence in the Jew-man Freddy.

Did you see Ouïda’s letter about Olive Schreiner in the D.N this morning? {1}—Is that the truth do you know?—Did you read what the coster said yesterday in the police court—when asked if he had anything to say in answer to the policeman’s evidence (charge of obstructing traffic) “Taint no use, not a bit—He uses the truth so careless.” Rather sweet nicht wahr? & very applicable to affairs in general in these days. The Education question seems to have got a few days reprieve.

Have done the Board Schools today—& am just off to see Miss Montague who has telegraphed for an interview.

It wants Its Freddy a bit—got a headache principally in the backbone: would like the feel of Its Freddy’s big broad shoulder to night—but will take it “by faith”[.] Meantime loves Its Freddy more than a Bit.. This It

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{1} On 16 July 1901 a long letter by the novelist Ouida appeared in the Daily News protesting against Olive Schreiner’s treatment by the British in South Africa.

(Carbon copy, marked at the head ‘Given to Esther E Knowles by E.P.L in Janu-ary 1930.’ The quotation is in English.)

Commonwealth Offices, Treasury Place, Melbourne, C.2.—Thanks him for his kind comments about his BBC broadcast. Has now returned from his tour of countries of concern to Australia.

Accepts an invitation to a reception at India House. Lady Pethick-Lawrence will not be able to come, as she is in California.

In the train.—Is returning to London after two interesting days. He was impressed by the Trade Union men he met.

‘The Echo’ Office, 19 St Bride Street, Fleet Street, E.C.—Is sorry he can’t be with her this afternoon, but he will be especially nice to ‘the two dear kiddies’ at the weekend. His evening (at Trinity) went well, and the Master said that the ‘dear boy’ (Frank Pethick) was much loved.

(Cf. 6/64–5 and 6/71.)

(Place of writing not indicated.)—Expresses support for him in connection with an interview, and reflects on the question of suffering.

Melbourne.—They send their sympathy (on the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence).

11 Old Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London, W.C.2.—Unemployment seems a more pressing problem in India than low wages, and he was interested to learn of certain manufacturing projects. Thanks him for his kindness during his and his wife’s visit. His wife went on to Hong Kong, and then to North America to visit her children.

(Carbon copy of a typed original.)

India House.—Encloses photographs taken during the Pethick-Lawrences’ visit to the Integral Coach Factory in December (cf. 2/135–6).

(Signed as Principal Private Secretary.)