37
478
36
proposals, and if he approved them to consult the Cabinet, see my despatch Reserved No. 18 of 12th January.*
It appears to me to be most unfortunate that you should have stated publicly that the new policy was politically essential, was a debt of honour upon British Administrators, and was one which we are bound in honour to adopt. If I am ques- tioned in Parliament regarding that statement I shall be bound to state plainly that it was merely an expression of personal opinion on your part which was not authorized by His Majesty's Government. I must also point out with reference to your despatch Confidential (2) of 17th Decembert that no approval has been given for reconstituting the State Councils or for your proposals to devolve wide powers upon them in 1933 under the policy of decentralization.
It seems clear from the speeches of the Official Members of the Federal Council that there is considerable hostility to your new policy. I find it quite impossible to form any opinion, much less to approach the Cabinet, until I have received a full and detailed answer to my Reserved despatch of 12th January. If the matter is raised in the House of Commons I shall have to state explicitly that His Majesty's Govern- ment have not authorized you to enter into any commitments, and that the suggested policy has in fact not been considered by the Cabinet.
I must warn you once more most seriously against acting in manner which must give the appearance of attempting to commit His Majesty's Government to a policy of decentralization and wider federation which successive Secretaries of State have explicitly told you cannot be decided until the proposals have been considered in all their details and reactions by the Secretary of State and by the Cabinet.- CUNLIFFE-LISTER.
0. 92300/32 [No. 28].
No. 16.
MALAY STATES.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.
(Paraphrase.)
(Sent 8.45 p.m., 26th February, 1932.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 17.]
PRIVATE and Personal. I have consulted Lord Passfield regarding your Personal letter of the 8th of February. He states that a concise summary of his intentions and of the limits of preliminary exploration was given in his despatch of 5th Junet and that even his own contingent approval was never given to any particular plan, or extent, or manner of decentralization. It is, therefore, clear that no implied authority was given to you to go beyond the despatch of 5th of June, which. was sent after you had left England.
I have warned you more than once that the limited authority laid down in that despatch is not to be exceeded. I shall have to be satisfied, before I approve of any decentralization proposals, both as to the merits of each particular proposal and also as to whether that proposal can stand by itself or what its reactions are in other spheres of administration and finance and further whether by the acceptance of a particular proposal we are committed in other directions. I and my advisers will give to any specific proposals which are submitted to us full and sympathetic consideration; but I refuse to be committed expressly or impliedly to any proposal which has not been definitely approved by me.
I must ask for an assurance from you that you appreciate that the position is as
I have stated and that you will carry out these instructions.-CUNLIFFE-LISTER.
0. 92300/82 [No. 10].
No. 15.
MALAY STATES.
THE HIGH COMMISSIONER to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 11.39 a.m., 11th February, 1932.)
TELEGRAM.
11TH FEBRUARY. Confidential. Your telegram No. 25 of 10th February. Confidential. I have posted by air mail reply to your despatch Reserved No. 18 of 12th January. The policy of decentralization and of strengthening State Council is not new. I beg you to read Guillemard's statement to the Federal Council on 23rd January, 1923,§ in which he expressed the hope that "it would be possible to increase the power and functions of the State Council in some important respect also his statement to the Federal Council on 14th December, 1925, made after visiting England and consulting Secretary of State. "To the policy of devolution to the I beg Rulers, State Council and Resident, the Government is already committed.' also that you will discuss this matter fully with Guillemard. In Malaya the general attitude towards decentralization is now friendly and sympathetic; there is not the hostility of Europeans which occurred in Guillemard's time. The Unofficial Members of the State Council have already agreed at the invitation of the Rulers to become members of their respective State Councils. It would create a most unfortunate impression here, especially in the minds of the Rulers both in the Federated Malay States and the Unfederated Malay States if anything were said in House of Commons which suggested that His Majesty's Government is not in sympathy with the decen- tralization.
C. 92300/32 [No. 24].
No. 17.
MALAY STATES.
THE HIGH COMMISSIONER to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 10.20 a.m., 27th February, 1932.)
(Paraphrase.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 19.]
I
PRIVATE and Personal. 27th February. 1 appreciate your statement of the position in your Private and Personal telegram of the 26th February, and I am carrying out your instructions; but I beg that if it is necessary to obtain the approval of the Cabinet, that approval may be sought as soon as possible after the receipt of my Secret despatch of the 18th February§ which has been posted by air mail. have reported to you fully by despatch every step that has been taken and I trust that decisions may soon be telegraphed to me particularly as regards Medical Depart- ment. In that Department the new system which began on 1st January is working smoothly and well. Dr. Wilson is still gazetted as a Principal Medical Officer, Federated Malay States, and no Federal Legislation will be introduced to change his position until your approval has been received. Delay, however, places us in a most difficult position. I hope most earnestly that nothing will be said to throw doubt on bona fide decentralization policy concerning which Guillemard wrote: "Decentralization is now declared policy of the Government of the Federated Malay States (see his despatch
to your predecessor of 21st October, 1924).!!
"
* No. 10.
+ No. 36.
† No. 14.
See paragraph 9 of No. 4 in Eastern No. 142.
* C. 92300/32 [No. 19]: not printed. + No. 5.
No. 16.
§ No. 23.
No. 12 in Eastern No. 142.
JOBLIC
PECORD OFFICE
Reference -
C.O.882/19
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BF REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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