61
435
Mr. E. W. Perera made a speech in the debate upon the motion by the Mohammedan member on 20th March, 1923, to the following effect :-
"That this Council recommends that the three seats reserved for the Mohammedans of Ceylon be filled by election."
2. I desire to make the following observations upon this speech. Mr. Perera, in the course of his remarks, as you will observe, took the opportunity presented of a general attack upon the communal system, using as his text the question of the Malay aspirations for a communally-reserved seat amongst the communal Mohammedan seats.
3. I am aware that the speech of Mr. Perera was made solely for the purpose of directing criticism upon the communal system generally, as evidenced by what would appear to be a division of opinion in the Mohammedan community itself, and for no other reason. Having made his speech, Mr. Perera promptly left the Council Chamber, and was heard to say that he had no intention of voting upon the amendment which he knew was to be moved by the European Rural member, to the effect that a seat should be reserved for the Malays; and upon reference to the division list on the original motion, you will observe that his name does not appear. I think it is desirable that I should bring this matter to your attention, since Mr. Perera's speech would give colour to the contention that the other communities supported the Malays in. their request for a seat for their community.
I have, &c.,
48901
No. 42.
W. H. MANNING,
Governor, &c.,
48123
No. 44.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
(Confidential (2).)
*
Downing Street, 15th October, 1923.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential despatch of the 10th September, reporting the circumstances in which Resolutions were moved in the Legislative Council with the object of the reduction of the salaries of all public officers,
2. I recognize the danger that when the Legislative Council is further enlarged it may be possible for an unofficial member to move and carry a similar Resolution when the Governor is not in the Chair, and I agree that to avoid embarrassment to the Government some additional safeguards are required to permit the Governor in such a case to make convenient use of the powers given him by Section 52 of the Order in Council of 1920.
3. I share your objection to the adoption in Ceylon of provisions similar to those embodied in the Government of India Act and cited in the fifteenth paragraph of your despatch, but I see no objection to your proposal for the amendment of Clause 52 of the Order in Council of 1920 in the direction indicated in the sixteenth paragraph of your despatch. As I have already informed you by telegramt steps will be taken for the insertion of such a provision in the draft Order in Council shortly to be submitted to His Majesty.
4. To prevent misunderstanding, you are at liberty at your discretion to make it clear to the Legislative Council that I have approved of the Salaries Scheme now in operation pending its revision by some properly-constituted body after a lapse of five years from its inception, and that I am prepared to support you in any action which may be considered necessary to prevent attempts to secure general or specific reductions in salaries or in any other benefits granted under the scheme pending its due revision,
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Sent 1.55 p.m., 11th October, 1923.) TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 47.]
11TH OCTOBER, 1923. Your despatch of 14th September, No. 627.* I approve your recommendations as to Mohammedan Electorate. Do you consider it desirable to make definite provision in new Order in Council, or will it be sufficient to retain Clause 21 of draft Order in Council submitted in your despatch of 17th July.t- DEVONSHIRE.
47007
SIR,
No. 43.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE, to THE GOVERNOR. (Confidential.)
Downing Street, 12th October, 1923.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential despatch of the 3rd September, on the subject of the creation in the new Legislative Council of a special Tamil seat in Colombo and the Western Province.
2. You will now have received my despatch of the 19th September, § with the views expressed in which you appear to be generally in accord. I, propose now to take steps without further delay for the preparation of the required Order in Council to give effect to the constitutional changes agreed upon in my correspondence with you.
I have, &c..
48901
(No. 620.)
SIB,
No. 45.
I have, &c.,
DEVONSHIRE.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR,
Downing Street, 15th October, 1923.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 827 of the 14th of September, regarding the arrangements for the representation of the Mohammedan community in the new Legislative Council of Ceylon.
2. I recognize the force of the objections which you put forward to the provision of separate representation for the Malay community, and I have no desire to extend the communal principle any further than it has been carried at present. If you find that the Malays do not in fact secure proper representation for their views, and that any important interests suffer accordingly, it will still be open to you (subject to the existence of a vacancy) to recommend the appointment as a nominated unofficial member of a suitable representative of the Malay community. 3. I have already conveyed to you by telegram§ my approval of your recommendation that, for the purpose of the election of Mohammedan representatives, the whole Colony should be treated as one Electorate, and I have inquired whether you consider that it is desirable to provide formally for this arrangement in the new Order in Council. clauses 19 (8) and 20 and by the omission of any reference to the Mohammedans This can readily be done by suitable additions to in clause 21.
DEVONSHIRE.
• No. 40.
↑ No. 21.
No. 86.
No. 85.
See Appendix 2.
I have, &c.,
DEVONSHIRE.
* No. 89.
+ Not printed.
† No. 40.
§ See No. 42.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
882 10
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Y