PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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Reference :-
TLC.O. 882
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
21—3) The third case is exemplified in the conditions of the Central Province, the Kalutara, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Puttalam. Kegalla. and Ratnapura Districts, and also in the Province of Uva, where, however, there are a few taverns for the sale of toddy only.
22. Here the renters, though "toddy renters" just as much as "arrack renters," keep no toddy for sale at all in their taverns, and attempt to repress its consumption throughout their rent areas by prosecution or threat of prosecution-an attempt which, it need hardly be said, is a miserable failure, for here again consumption is practically universal where there are trees
23. It is perfectly clear in this case that Government can receive none of the The Kandy renter's agent stated toddy revenue which is legitimately due to it
manner.
that toddy, so far from being a source of revenue, was actually one of expense to them on account of the prosecutions. A more unsatisfactory state of things can hardly be imagined. Though scarcely credible, it is, nevertheless, true that à man cannot get in, say, the whole of the Central Province, a drink of toddy in a legal Government is here distinctly at fault, for it is clearly incumbent on it to provide legitimate facilities for meeting what is a perfectly legitimate demand. In this case, however, Government is powerless, for owing to the combination of arrack and toddy in one rent the matter has to be left entirely in the renter's hands. Attempts have been made to remedy it, but to no effect. It is, in fact, irremediable under the present system.
24. The evils of combination sufficiently appear from the foregoing description of the existing state of things. Except in the Northern Province Government gets practically no revenue from the consumption of fermented toddy-an alcoholic It is to the interest of the Leverage that has been liable to taxation since 1844. renter to discourage the sale of toddy in favour of the more profitable and more intoxi- cating arrack. Illicit consumption is always worse than an open and legitimate one. Almost the whole toddy-drinking population are forced to become law breakers, involving numerous prosecutions as well as general harassment and blackmail.
Each beverage will stand on 25. The advantages of separation are also clear. its own merits, and will compete with the other in a healthy and legitimate manner. The sale of each will be brought under control and supervision. If a certain number of arrack drinkers give up arrack for toddy, as is likely, the change is in the direction of a smaller alcoholic consumption. Each beverage can be made to contribute its full share to the public revenue.
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No. 2.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. [Answered by No. 4.]
Downing Street, 26th July, 1912.
(No. 326.) SIR,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 333, of the 13th of June,* in which you forwarded copies of Ordinance No. 8 of 1912, of the Legislature of Ceylon, entitled: "An Ordinance to provide for the introduction of an excise system.
2. Representations against the system introduced by this Ordinance have been made to me by a number of Temperance Societies in this country, and I have also received a deputation on the subject from the Native Races and the Liquor Traffic United Committee. I enclose a copy of a report of the speeches made by the dcpu- tation and of my reply.
3. After very careful consideration I have come to the conclusion that the general principles of the reforms which it is proposed to introduce are not open to serious objection, that the new system will effect a very material improvement in the I have, there- methods of controlling the liquor traffic in Ceylon, and that there is good reason to hope that the result will be a reduction in the consumption of alcohol. fore, to inform you that His Majesty the King will not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance with respect to the Ordinance.
• No. 1.
97
4. There are, however, several points to which I desire to invite your attention. You will observe that several members of the deputation to which I have referred urged that some form of " local option " should be introduced in connection with the issue of licences. I note that this subject was discussed at length by the Select Committee of the Legislative Council which considered the draft of the Ordinance, and that the Committee has placed on record certain recommendations for the guidance of the officers entrusted with the framing of rules under Section 31 (2)_(h). These recommendations, however, are only to the effect that the licensing officer should consult certain recognised public bodies and should afford an opportunity for the residents of the locality concerned to place their views before him. It appears to me, however, that it is most desirable that the issue of licences should be placed more directly under the control of public opinion than is contemplated in these recommendations. I am strongly of opinion that the proper course to adopt is to provide, by the rules framed under the Ordinance, for the establishment of Licensing Boards in each Province, or possibly in each district, by whose advice the Govern- ment Agent or other licensing officer will be guided in deciding whether or not to issue a licence for any arrack or toddy-shop. I would suggest that these Boards should include representatives of the Municipalities, Local Boards, Village Com- mittees, and other recognised bodies in the area affected, with the addition of some of the unofficial Police Magistrates. I attach great importance to this matter, and I should be glad if you would devise, as soon as possible, a scheme for giving effect to this suggestion.
5. I fully recognise that an increase in the number of licensed taverns was unavoidable, owing to the decision to separate the sale of toddy from that of arrack; that the increase which has taken place is more apparent than real, owing to the fact that toddy will no longer be obtainable at an arrack-shop, as it was in the past— at least in theory; and that, in any case, the increase in the number of licensed houses will be more than counterbalanced by the reduction in the facilities for illicit. sale which it is hoped to effect; but at the same time I cannot view without some concern so considerable an addition to the number of premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquors, and I regret that it has been found necessary to issue so large a number of licences for toddy-shops. I rely upon you to use your utmost endeavours to effect a reduction in the number both of arrack and of toddy-shops, whenever it is possible to do so without risking the recurrence of illicit sales, and I commend to your earnest attention the great desirability of reducing the consumption of intoxicants, as soon as the traffic is completely under the control of the Government, by raising the price to the consumer both of arrack and of toddy.
contract supply system
6. I desire to add also that, in my opinion, the
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should be regarded as merely a temporary expedient, and that it is desirable that it should eventually be superseded by the system which is in force in this country and in most parts of His Majesty's dominions, of licensed distilleries paying an excise duty on output.
7. I gather that in connection with the recent licensing of toddy-shops the practice has been adopted of putting up the annual licence of each tavern to auction. It appears to me that this system is calculated to defeat the principal object of the Government that of reducing consumption-as it offers the strongest possible in- I would ask ducement to the tavern-keeper to push the sale of liquor to the utmost.
you to consider whether it would not be more in the interests of the public to adopt either one fixed rate of licence-fee or a graduated scale varying according to the value of the licensed premises or the amount of the sales.
Enclosure in No. 2.
I have, &c.,
L. HARCOURT.
DEPUTATION TO THE SECRETARY Of State for the Colonies from the Native Races AND THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC UNITED COMMITTEE ON THE CEYLON EXCISE ORDINANCE (NATIVE RACES), MONDAY, 22nd JULY, 1912, at the COLONIAL OFFICE, DOWNING STREET, S.W.
The Deputation was introduced by Sir Herbert Roberts, Bart., M.P.
Sir HERBERT ROBERTS: Mr. Harcourt, we fully realise that your time to-day
is precious, and that it would not be possible for you to give more than a certain
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