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month. I also attach a copy of a report by the Superintendent of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, dated 28th November, 1920, relative to the membership and objects of the Congress, the constitution of which is set out in the accompanying leaflet. It will be seen that the meetings of the Congress are attended by delegates elected by various Associations, including the so-called "Ceylon Workers' Federa- tion referred to in my Confidential despatch of the 13th October.*
"
2. The first resolution deals with the recent reforms in the constitution of the Legislative Council of this Island, as laid down in the Order in Council. This particular matter needs no further comments, as the facts are already fully known to you.
3. It will be seen that in the third resolution particular stress is laid on the policy adopted by this Government in regard to agriculture, education, and taxa- tion. This resolution was moved by the Editor of the Morning Leader, who, it is stated, is a Portuguese Indian subject from Goa. The tone of this newspaper is very objectionable, and every possible opportunity is taken by the Editor to create discord between the Europeans residing in Ceylon and the permanent population of the Colony. This person is also, in my opinion, very largely responsible for the late ebullition of hostility to the Reform Scheme by means of a series of very offensive articles in his paper. I consider that the object of his resolution was largely intended to bring obloquy upon myself, as from my many public utterances he was well aware that since my arrival in the Colony I have been particularly solicitous rs to the progress of both agriculture and education. So far as agriculture is con- cerned, you are aware of the very great interest taken in this matter in recent years, and more particularly during this year when the food shortage has necessitated the establishment of the Food Production Department. There has been great development in the Department of Agriculture itself, the staff having been considerably increased by various new appointments. I would invite reference to Sessional Paper I, of 1918, and to paragraph 10 of my despatch No. 510, of the 5th August, 1919, where, in connexion with the draft Estimates of expenditure of the Colony for the financial year 1919-20, I mentioned that provision had been made for additional staff and contingent expenditure in connexion with proposals of the Director of Agriculture for the improvement of agricultural training and other services connected with agriculture generally. The subject of agriculture is one which has engaged the most earnest attention of the Government, and you will observe from the same paragraph of my last-mentioned despatch that I have since my arrival in the Colony devoted special attention to this matter. The Government is only waiting until there is a sufficient supply of locally-trained officers to make further progress on the lines of the forward policy already recommended by Mr. Stockdale.
4. Great progress has been made during recent years with regard to education in this Colony. A comparison between the Estimates of 1913-14 and those of the present financial year shows that the voted expenditure on account of education has heen nearly doubled. The introduction of the Education Ordinance No. 1 of 1920. and the establishment of the new University College are further evidence of the earnest desire of this Government to further the interests of education in this Colony. I would specially mention that the general policy adopted by the Govern- ment as regards education appears to meet with the entire approval of the great mass of the permanent population of the Island, excepting only those hypercritical elements which seek, in general terms, to belittle the efforts of the Government in every direction. Considering the very real interest taken in educational subjects 1920-21 for the Education Department passed through the Legislative Council by the permanent population of the Island, it is significant that the Estimates without any comment whatsoever.
5. If, as is likely, the question of taxation is brought before the new Legis- lative Council, the Government will be prepared to appoint a special Commission to consider the whole question of the incidence of taxation in Ceylon. The matter is one of far-reaching importance, and without an exhaustive inquiry the Govern- ment is not prepared to embark on a revision of the existing methods of taxation.
6. Another point touched upon in the same resolution is the "methods adopted under martial law in 1915." The various matters in connexion with the riots which occurred during that year have already been fully dealt with, and I need not trouble you with further observations on the subject.
* 54789: not printed.
+51054: not printed.
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7. In conclusion, I would remark that the resolutions are so vaguely worded that I do not consider it necessary to enter upon a detailed defence of the policy of Government in the matters referred to. The general policy of this Government in all these matters is well known to you from the full and frequent correspondence with you on the subject, and it has, I believe, your complete approval.
8. I am, however, of opinion that these resolutions do not even represent the opinions of the majority of the members of the National Congress, and certainly not the opinions of a large number of its members, and it is interesting to note in this connexion that the more moderate and sensible members have lately interviewed me with a view to finding a means of enabling the Congress to participate in carry- ing out the proposals for constitutional reform, and I am hopeful that as a result this very desirable end may be attained.
I have, etc.-
Enclosure 1 in No. 25.
W. H. MANNING.
Governor, &c.
25th October, 1920.
SIR.
We have the honour to inform you that a Special Session of the Ceylon National Congress was held in Colombo on the 15th and 16th October, presided over by James Pieris, Esquire, J.P., LL.M. (Cantab), Barrister-at-Law.
It was attended by over 200 delegates, including lady delegates from Associa tions in Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna, Galle, Panadura, Kalutara, Matara, Negombo. Chilaw, Puttalam, Kegalle. Ratnapura, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya. Batticaloa, repre sentative of all classes and interests in Ceylon. The Colombo Associations included organizations representing Indian and Labour interests.
We beg to forward, herewith, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, copies of the resolutions which were unanimously adopted.
We enclose three copies of a letter addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for the favour of transmission to him.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary.
We have, &c..
E. T. DE Silva, A. MAHADEVA,
Honorary Secretaries.
Ceylon National Congress, 20, Upper Chatham Street, MY LORD,
We have the honour to inform you that a Special Session of the Ceylon
Colombo, 25th October, 1920. National Congress was held in Colombo on the 15th and 16th October, presided over by James Pieris, Esquire, J.P., LL.M. (Cantab), Barrister-at Law.
It was attended by over 200 delegates, including lady delegates from Associa- tions in Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna, Galle, Panadura, Kalutara, Matara, Negombo, Chilaw, Puttalam, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Batticaloa, repre- sentative of all classes and interests in Ceylon. The Colombo Associations included organizations representing Indian and Labour interests.
We beg to forward, herewith, for the information of Your Lordship, copies of the resolutions which were unanimously passed.
We have, &c..
The Right Honourable
Viscount Milner, G.C.B., G.C.M.G.,
E. T. DE SILVA, A. MAHADEVA,
Honorary Secretaries, Ceylon National Congress.
His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies,
London.