46 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
same mischievous hand which contrived in Sections
26,27,28 to secure the entire immunity, irresponsibility, and personal autocracy of the secretary of state.”
After showing that Lord Stanely and the Earl of Derby who had so much to do with the framing of the statute were united in including the neglected proviso the writer quotes the opinion of Mr. Gladstone regarding Section 55 as follows :—
In my view it was the purpose of this clause to require the Preliminary consent of parliament to the issue of Indian money for the purpose of operations carried on by the forces charged upon India beyond the Indian frontier, except in certain special cases, which were very carefully defined. It was, in fact, to prevent the use of Indian money for military operations. I remember this; for I myself was the author of the clause, and the present Lord Derby, who was Secretary of State for India at the time, concurred with me as to its objects.”
The same writer goes on to say :
“There are few, if any causes, that have brought more disaster and financial damage to “India of the Queen” than has the utter disregard of the safeguards ostensibly ordained under these despised and neglected provisions of the Act. We are well aware that, even had the saving word “previous” been included in the Section, the clamour on behalf of pseudo-Imperial interests, or the exigencies of party schemes, might have sufficed to override the claims and rights of the Indian people. But that word would, at least, have secured an invaluable respite, during which the voice of reason might have been heard.”
The non-fiscal sections of this Act were :—
(1) The territories of the East India Company were vested in her Majesty, the Queen, and the powers exercised by the East India Company and the Board of Control were vested in the Secretary of State for India. He was to have a Council of fifteen members who would hold office during good behaviour, and each member was to have a salary of £ 1200 a year out of the revenues of India. The pay of the Secretary of State and all his establishment would similarly be charged to India.