443
76
Guzerati and Malayali sections count among them a very large number of influential merchants who do not read and write English or Tamil, but have literacy qualification in their respective mother tongues. As in Article XXVI (1) (d) to the Ceylon Order in Council, 1923.* the literacy qualification is extended only to one Indian language, namely, Tamil, the non-Tamils like the above-named Guzeraties and Malayalees are deprived of the benefit of the franchise granted to Indians under the Proclamation issued by His Excellency the Governor in exercise of the power vested in him by Article XXI of the said Order. In reply to the representation made to His Excellency the Governor in regard to the above matter before the holding of the public meeting referred to in the cable sent to you, the above Association was informed that the Governor had no power to concede to our demand. It will be at least one month before further claims are received for having names registered 'as voters under Rule 6 of schedule 1 to the said Order. In view of the widespread discontent prevailing in regard to the matter the Association earnestly appeals to you to amend the said Order by adding after the word "or" in Article XXVI (1) (d) or Guzerati or Malayalam or" and thereby extend the benefit of the franchise to all sections of the Indian Community alike and remove the cause of discontent.
I beg to, etc..
I. X. PEREIRA,
:
President.
SIR.
77
the conditions of labour in Ceylon, and
(c) the recommendations contained in the report furnished by the Retrench-
ment Commission.
I am addressing you separately on each of these matters.
Enclosure in No. 85,
I have, &c.,
W. H. MANNING,
Governor, &c.
THE HONOURABLE the ColoniaL SECRETARY, COLOMBO.
We have the honour to submit, in triplicate, copies of the Resolutions passed
18th March, 1924. at the last Sessions of the Congress and to request that His Excellency the Governor may be pleased to transmit the same to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
We are, &c.,
D. E. WEERASOORIA, J. E. GUNASEKARA,
Hon. Secretaries, Ceylon National Congress.
Enclosure in No. 64.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT THE PROTEST MEETING OF INDIANS HELD AT THE LORENZ COLLEGE HALL, COLOMBO, ON SUNDAY THE 16th March, 1924.
Resolution 1.-That this meeting of Indians in Ceylon records its deep sense of gratitude to His Excellency the Governor for reserving two Seats in the Reformed Legislative Council for Indians resident in Ceylon and for providing for the filling of these two Seats by election.
Resolution II. That as the inclusion in the Order in Council of only English, Sinhalese and Tamil as conferring the literacy qualification for the franchise excluding the other Indian languages, particularly Guzerati and Malayalam, deprives the benefit of the franchise to a large number of Indians, this meeting requests that the Secretary of State for Colonies be pleased to provide that literacy in any Indian language shall be sufficient qualification for the franchise.
Resolution III-That this meeting is strongly of opinion that the provision in Rule 22 (2) of Schedule II of the Order in Council, that in the case of the Indian Electorate the elector may give a vote to each one of the two candidates whom he prefers or may only vote for one candidate and give two votes for such candidate is highly objectionable and subversive of the very object of election and detrimental to the best interests of the Community, and therefore requests that the Government be pleased to take immediate steps to have the Order in Council amended so that an elector may not give both his votes to any one candidate.
19063
(No. 228.) SIR.
No. 65.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 22nd April, 1924.) [Answered by No. 67.]
Ceylon, $1st March, 1924.
I HAVE the honour to transmit a copy of a letter from the Ceylon National Congress, dated 13th March, 1924, enclosing a copy of a set of Resolutions passed at the last sessions of that body.
2. The only Resolutions which, in my opinion, require any comments are those numbered 1. 4 and 6, relating respectively to-
(a) the special regulations empowering the Governor to take certain steps
in cases of emergency,
RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO :--
1. In the opinion of this Congress the powers vested in the Governor by the Defence of the Realm Act should be immediately withdrawn, as they are subversive of public liberty and no necessity for their continuance now exists,
2. In view of the meagre support given to education by the Government and the inadequate provision now made therefor, this Congress is of opinion that the education vote should form a larger proportion of publio revenue than at present in order to bring education within the reach of the masses and to secure a more vigorous promotion of all branches of public education, especially Technical, Industrial and Agricultural.
3. The restrictions placed on private individuals in regard to proof of title to chena lands claimed by them are calculated to cause injustice and hardship. This Congress, therefore, demands that the laws relating to this question be revised at the earliest opportunity.
4. In view of the increasing unemployment among the labourers and the room for the amelioration in the conditions under which labour, both skilled and unskilled, is employed in Government Establishments and private workshops, as evidenced by the recent strikes and otherwise, and the great amount of distress continually prevailing among the labouring classes, this Congress requests the Government to appoint Commission to inquire into the conditions of labour in Ceylon and recommend measures for its improvement.
5. It is the opinion of this Congress that it is essential for the ordered pro- gress of the country, especially at this transitional period, that, on the expiry of the term of the present Governor, a Governor with Parliamentary experience should be appointed.
6.
This Congress urges that the recommendations of the Retrenchment Com- mission should be given effect to without delay.
7. This Congress is of opinion that, with a view to the encouragement of agriculture and the securing of an increased food supply in the country, the Govern- ment should take early steps to furnish increased facilities for the transport of produce by providing a better system of roads throughout the Island, particularly in the less-developed agricultural districts.
J. E. GUNASEKARA,
* Appendix 2.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
J, L L L L L
Reference :-
CO. 882/10
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON,
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH--NOT TO