PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.882
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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fancied grievance, in which no substance or reality will be perceptible to themselves.
12. With regard to the sentiments of the European inhabitants, Mr. Blundell intimates his belief that the strong desire for the transfer which prevailed among them in 1857 has very considerably subsided, and in a private communication he has attributed this to an impression having become prevalent among them that increased taxation would probably be a consequence of the transfer.
I think that there is no room to doubt that, except upon such a ground as this, the European inhabitants of the Straits would not fail to urge the transfer were an expression of their wishes invited, for they have at all times evinced a marked impatience of the control of the Indian Govern- ment, and would assuredly wish to be free from it, unless influenced to the contrary by some such apprehension as that mentioned by Mr. Blundell; and for this I cannot blame them. As, however, the question of what taxes it may be proper at any time to impose on the people of the Straits' Settlements really has no connection with the matter now under consideration, but is one which should receive precisely the same solution, whether the Settlement is under the control of the Indian Government or under the control of the Colonial Office, I do not see that it need be brought under discussion on the present occasion. Setting it aside, I have no doubt whatever that the transfer to the Colonial Office would be highly acceptable to the European residents of the Straits.
13. Mr. Blundell further expresses an opinion that if the transfer is carried out the Government of India must be prepared to give up the transportation of Convicts to the Straits, espe- cially to Singapore. In this there will be no diffi- culty, now that the Andamans have been occupied as a convict settlement.
On the other hand, adverting to the eighth paragraph of the Secretary of State's despatch, and supposing it should prove that Mr. Blundell has been inaccurately impressed with the strength of the feeling which exists in the Straits against do not perceive any the reception of convicts, obstacle to arranging for their continued trans- portation there, on the understanding that the Government of India shall be charged with the net expense only of their maintenance, credit being allowed for their labour at a reasonable and fair
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valuation. Therefore, neither way will the disposal of convicts be an obstacle to the change.
14. I consider it to be established, then, first, that no good and sufficient reasons now exist for continuing the Straits' Settlements on their present footing; secondly, that very strong reasons exist for withdrawing them from the control of the Indian Goverment, and transferring them to the Colonia! Office; and, thirdly, that there are no objections to the transfer which should cause Her Majesty's Government to hesitate in adopting a measure calculated to be so advantageous to the Settlements themselves.
15. Most of the information required by the Secretary of State in the concluding paragraph of his despatch is supplied by the statements furnished by the Governor and by the Financial Department respectively, and these statements may be trans- mitted to England.
16. As it is admitted that, if the transportation of Convicts to the Straits is continued at all, the real cost of their maintenance is to be paid by the Indian Government, or, in other words, that the Indian Government is to pay for their maintenance, and is to receive per contra payment from the Straits for the value of their labour; the statement of revenue and expenses may be examined in the first place without any reference to this item.
The statement for 1858-59, furnished by Mr. Blundell, shows a total revenue of Rs. 13,23,368 5 8; against which there are...-
Civil charges Military, do.
Total
R.
A.
P.
8,24,913 4 40 7,70,564 6 4
15,95,487 10
8
This shows a deficit against the Settlement of Rs. 2,72,099 5 5, bo-which must be added what- ever sum it is necessary to expend upon labour for public works, whether it be labour taken from the convicted paid for to the Indian Gorament, or whether it be labour hired in themam, market. It is not possible to estimate with accuracy what the charge on this account should be. The late Gomattor, it will be seen, muintains that the whole charge of the Indian convletria fairly debitable to
PUBLIC RECORD
OFFICE
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Reference :--
TTIINC.O. 882
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO