Serial No., From or to whom, Despatch No., 8., and Date,
1920
1. Mr. (now Sir) W. G. Maxwell
October 15 (Reo. Oct. 18).
Notes on a Policy in respect of the Unfederated Malay
States
1924
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5
No. 292.
9. To the High Commissioner for the
Malay States
July 2
1921
2. The High Commissioner for the
Malay States
July 5 Confidential. (Rec. August 9)
3. To the High Commissioner for the
Malay States
Confidential.
August 23
1923
4. The High Commissioner for the
Malay States
January 30 No. 46.
(Rec. Feb. 20)
Expresses general agreement with the policy recom. mended by Mr. (now Sir) W. G. Maxwell, and requests permission to make a public announcement on the subject
844
11
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Approves of the issue of the suggested announcement, but states that in making the announcement, the High Commissioner should make it clear that the Government is not opposed to the entry into the Federation of any State which might wish to enter...
Reports the action taken to carry out the policy of decentralisation, and to increase the functions and powers of the State Councils; and encloses an extract from a memorandum addressed to the Residents making certain suggestions in the matter, together with a minute from the Residents recording their view
001
12
12
Subject and Page No.
19
487
20
10. To the High Commisioner for the
Malay States
August 26 Secret.
Enclosure in No. 10.
Acknowledges the receipt of No. 8 and asks to be furnished with six-monthly returns showing the cases in which the Enactment has been applied
Encloses a memorandum received from the Sultan of Perak regarding the administration of the State; reports the representations made by the Sultan personally at the Colonial Office as to his own and his State Council's lack of authority as compared with that existing in States outside the Federation; observes that the proposed arrangements for increasing the powers of the State Councils cannot have pro- needed far, and that there is little real transfer of power from the Chief Secretary to the Residents; and asks for the considered personal opinions of the High Commissioner as to the future government of Perak and the administration of Malaya as a whole.
Memorandum by the Sultan of Perak Urges that the powers of the Ruler, the Resident and
12. The High Commissioner for the
Malay States
October 21 Secret. (Rec. November 18)
the State Council should be restored as laid down in the Treaty of Pangkor, and submits views as to the future administration of the State. Asks that the Dindings and the Island of Pangkor should be handed back to Perak
States that he is aware of the views of the Sultan of Perak, with which he largely agrees; promises to inquire into the matters raised by the Sultan; and reports that after ascertaining the views of the Sultan he will send a despatch outlining the policy which he considers should be adopted
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Discusses the present position with regard to the administration of Malaya; traces the growth of centralisation and compares the results adversely with those arising from the policy adopted in the Unfederated States; points out that the real need is for a new policy in the Federated Malay States themselves; advocates the abolition of the appoint. ment of Chief Secretary and the substitution of a non-executive officer who would be junior to the Residents, involving the devolution of most of the Chief Secretary's authority to the State Councils. Residents and the Heads of Federal Departments
Enclosure 1 in No. 4.
Chief Secretary to Government to Residenta September 10, 1922
(Extract.)
Enclorurs 2 in No. 4.
Submita certain suggestions made with the object of increasing the powers of the State Councils, and invites the views of the Residents themoon ...
14
11. The High Commissioner for the Malay States September 25 Secret. (Rec. October 21)
Minute by Rosicherīta
January 22, 1928
Records the views of the Residerita sa to the pawan of the State Cowbells in rougeot to the Stads- Hekknaken, and the encouragement of discussion in the Councils of miters of palille intarest
16
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Confidential.
Extract
5. The High Commissioner for the
Malay States
January 31 (Rec. Feb. 27)
Enclosure in No. 5.
December 13, 1991
Encloses an extract from an address to the Federal Council on the 13 Dec., 1921, making the announce- ment mentioned in Nos. 2 and 3
17
H+
The High Commissioner for the
Malay States
December 23 No. 698. (Rec. Jan. 21, 1924)
Announces that it is not the policy of the Federated Malay States Government to exert pressure on any other State to enter the Federation, but that the Government would be quite willing to receive any application for admission to the Federation...
Sends capies of the Bapart of the Decentralisation Com. mittee appointed to advise as to the revision of General Order 101 and Appendix D, relating to the powers of the Residents. States that the Report contains certain modifications suggested at a Com- ference of Residenta
·
17
17
1924
7. To the High Commissioner for the
Mainy Stater
February 8 No. 62.
States that the report, indicating an important step towards decentralisation and the restoration of a greater measure of control to the State authorities, has been read with gratification
18
No. 277.
8. The High Commissioner for the
Malay States
May 7 (Reo. June 2)
Encloses copies of "The Chief Secretary to Government (Dispensing Powers) Enactment, 1934,” which has been introduced as part of the policy of devolution in the Federated Malay States .......
16
Enclosure in No. 8.
April 7 Federated Malay States Enactment No. 2 of 1924
19
1925
22
23
24
13. To the High Commissioner for the Malay States February 11 Telogram-Private and Personal
14. To the High Commissioner for the
Malay States
February 25 Telegram. Secret.
(2)84900– PV 137 76 496 XAS
Concurs in principle in the policy advocated, and approves of his visiting England. States that the question of extending his term of office is being considered
30
Anka that the proposals in No. 12 be communicated confidentially to the Chief Secretary, who should be told that the Secretary of State has concurred in them in principle. Suggests that as the Chief Secretary's position will be made difficult, he should retire on pension and take up post of Agent, Malay States Information Agency, in November, 1925, and that no substantive successor should be appointed but that an officer should be appointed to make possible the abolition of the post. States that before the new proposals are published, full confidential conversations should take place with the Rulers and Chiefs, Residents and Advisers, and leading unofficials. 30
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
LITT
Reference :-
C.O. 882/10
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Serial No., From or to whom,
Despatch No., &c., and Date,
Subject and Page No.
1925
15. The High Commissioner for the
Malay States
March 11 Telegram. Secret.
(Extract.) (Reo. March 11)
16. The High Commissioner for the
Malay States
March 26 Telegram. Secret.
(Extract.) (Rec, March 26)
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Proposes to discuss the main changes first of all with the Rulers of the Federated Malay States, and later with the Residents, after which it will be possible to tell how many unofficials can safely be consulted. Does not recommend, as yet, discussion with the Sultans of the Unfederated States
States that the Rulers and Chiefs and the Residents of the Federated Malay States have unanimously expressed their general agreement with the new policy, and that the Rulers have asked that early steps be taken to bring it into operation. Four unofficial Members of the Federal Council have also been consulted, three of whom have expressed agree- ment, while the fourth is at present doubtful whether the policy is practicable, but is none the lees not prepared to oppose it
31
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