It is to be regretted that.the King has had to defer his long-anticipated visit to India, but considering all the circumstances it is in all probability a very wise decision. The royal visit and the holding of a Coronation Durbar would have been most popular with the inhabitants of India and would have afforded them an opportunity for the same display of loyalty which marked the visit of King George V and Queen Mary following their Coronation. But His Majesty feels that in these times when the expense of the inauguration of provincial autonomy is falling upon the Indian budget it would be unwise to add to that the expense naturally to be associated with so important a function as a royal Durbar. There was also the danger that world developments might have necessitated a change of programme at a later date when arrangements had pro-grossed in the hope of the visit taking place. If that did indeed occur there would be every likelihood that much loss and inconvenience would result, and taking all things into consideration, if such a decision had to be made, and general conditions, as well as the specific reason appear to justify it, it is better that it should be announced as early as possible, instead of at a time when consequences of a further postponement might be all the more costly. His Majesty has, however, reiterated his intention to visit India as soon as circumstances permit. That will relieve some of the disappointment which must naturally be felt over this second deferment of original plans, and loyal Indian subjects will anxiously await the time when an improvement in general world trends will make it possible for Their Majesties to make the visit which should bring the people of India in closer touch with the British Raj. Visits of royalty to India have invariably proved successful in the past and the proof of royal interest in India which they have demonstrated will be ample justification for a similar visit if and when circumstances permit.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.