THESIGER, 1ST VISCOUNT (1868-1933), British administra tor, born on Aug. 12, 1868, was the eldest son of Frederick Au gustus, 2nd Baron Chelmsford. He was educated at Winchester and Magdalen college, Oxford, and held a fellowship at All Souls from 1892 to 1899. Having been called to the bar he was a mem ber of the London school board for four years, and in served on the London county council. In the latter year, when he succeeded his father as Baron Chelmsford, he was appointed gov ernor of Queensland and he held that office till 1909. These years saw the inauguration of the new policy of replacing the repatri ated Kanakas by white labour. It was also a period of bitter political conflict. Chelmsford's action in granting the request of the premier, Philp, for a dissolution of parliament led to wide spread agitation for the appointment of local governors in Aus tralia. In Aug. 1909 Chelmsford left Queensland for New South Wales, of which State he was governor till 1913. It was a period of great development for the colony, and also of great labour unrest.
Chelmsford, who was created G.C.M.G. in 1912, served in India with the Dorset regiment in the early part of the World War. From April 1916 to the spring of 1921 he was viceroy of India. During this period the system of dyarchy, founded upon the joint report of the viceroy and the secretary of State, E. S. Montagu, was introduced. A considerable measure of autonomy was accorded to the provinces. The council of State and legisla tive assembly were to be elected, and the annual budget, with some reservations, submitted to the latter. Indians were given representation on the viceroy's council, and India was given the same power over tariffs as the Dominions.
But the new reforms were opposed by a combination of Hindus and Muslims under Gandhi, and a system of non-co-operation adopted, whilst the repressive legislation recommended by Mr. Justice Rowlatt's committee to deal with sedition provoked serious riots in Guzerat and the Punjab, culminating in the Amritsar disturbances (April 1919). However, an amnesty for political offences accompanied the promulgation of the reforms which were gradually accepted by moderate opinion. Meanwhile the viceroy had also to meet a Mohammedan agitation directed against British policy toward Turkey. This was actively sup ported by an Afghan army, after whose defeat the subsidy was withdrawn from the Amir, together with the privilege of import ing arms from India. The new institutions were inaugurated by the duke of Connaught early in 1921. On his retirement Chelms ford was created a viscount and received Indian orders. He was first lord of the admiralty in Ramsay MacDonald's Labour Ministry of 1924. He died April 1, 1933. (G. LE G. N.)