333
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
PEREC.O.se2/11
السياسيا
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
40
tember, 1928, to consider the recommendations of the Special Commission on the Ceylon Constitution, and request you to be so good as to transmit the same to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
We have also the honour to forward herewith the "Ceylon Daily News taining a report of proceedings to be transmitted to the Secretary of State.
**
con-
We are, &c.,
8. W. R. D. BANDARANAIKE,
Jt. Hony. Secretary, C.N.C.
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary,
Colombo.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CEYLON NATIONAL CONGRESS, 1ST SEPTEMBER, 1928.
I. That this Congress while expressing its grave disappointment that the Special Commission has not found it possible to recommend a scheme of full responsible government and while reaffirming its demand for the same, is prepared to accept for the present the recommendations of the Donoughmore Commission subject to such modifications as may be adopted in the subsequent resolutions.
The Executive.
II. That this Congress is of opinion that those departments which the Commis- sioners recommend should be entrusted to Committees and Ministers should be placed in charge of Ministers alone to be chosen from amongst its members by the State Council and unassociated with Committees.
The Franchise.
III. This Congress while generally accepting the recommendations regarding the franchise, is of opinion:-
(a) That in the case of non-Ceylonese the franchise should be continued
in the case of men, and extended to women, under the existing qualifications. (b) That the franchise for women should be extended to those over 21 years of age.
(c) That the Government should be responsible for and carry out the pre- paration of the register of voters.
(d) That the secrecy of the ballot should be secured in the case of illiterate voters by some such device as the adoption of different colours to denote the different candidates.
(e) That no residence qualification within the areas they represent be required of members of the State Council.
The Governor's Powers.
IV. This Congress is of opinion that the powers reserved to the Governor are too wide and comprehensive and inconsistent with the grant of any measure of responsible government and strongly disapproves of :-
(a) The provision that the Governor shall not assent to any particular class
of legislation as provided at present by Article XIII of the Royal Instructions
of 1920 and the proposed amendments thereto.
(b) Any provision vesting the Governor with power to enact laws inde- pendently of the Legislature as provided at present by Article LIV of the Order in Council of 1923 and the proposed amendments thereto.
The Public Services.
V. (1) This Congress strongly disapproves of the suggested provision in the new Order in Council of an Article providing that the final decision in all matters affecting the pay and allowances, pensions, prospects, and conditions of service of public officers should be vested in the Secretary of State.
(2) This Congress while accepting the rights reserved to Public Servants of retiring on proportionate pension and the principles for its application suggested, namely (a) that the right should be unqualified, (b) that it should be extended to all officers whether
*Not reprinted.
41
European or Ceylonese who are now in the service of the Ceylon Government or who may have been recruited for such service before the publication of the Commissioners' Report and whose appointments are subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, disapproves of the third principle mentioned, i.e., that it should be a continuous option, and is of opinion that such option should be limited to three years.
(3) This Congress is of opinion that the discipline and control of each department should be in the hands of the Minister in charge of such Department.
Salaries Commission.
VI. This Congress considers that the appointment of another Salaries Commis- sion is unnecessary at present and if the appointment of such a Commission is needed at a future date such appointment shall be made on the recommendation of the State Council and the proposals of such Commission should be subject to the approval of the Council.
R. S. S. GUNEWARDENE, S. W. R. D. BANDARANAIKE,
Hony. Secretaries, C.N.C.
C 53429/28/8 [No. 2].
No. 15.
COLONIAL OFFICE to CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Downing Street, 23rd October, 1928. SIR,
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Amery to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 4th October,* submitting observations on the Report of the Special Commission on the Constitution of Ceylon.
2. I am to state that careful consideration will be given to your views when the preparation of the necessary Order in Council amending the Constitution is under discussion.
C 53429/28/8 [No. 3].
SIR,
No. 16.
I am, &c.,
H. R. COWELL.
COLONIAL OFFICE to BOARD OF TRADE. [Answered by No. 20.]
Downing Street, 23rd October, 1928. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Amery to transmit to you a copy of a letter* received from the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom in connection with the Report of the Special Commission on the Constitution of Ceylon, together with a copy
of the replyt which has been addressed to the Chamber by Mr. Amery's direction. 2. The Report of the Special Commission has been published as a Parliamentary Paper, Cmd. 3131.
3. Mr. Amery would be glad to receive any observations which the Board of Trade would desire to offer on this correspondence.
C 53429/28/1 [No. 11].
No. 17.
I am, &c.,
H. R. COWELL.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 6.40 p.m., 27th October, 1928.) TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 19.]
26TH OCTOBER. Donoughmore Report in Legislative Council. Following is result of voting by Unofficial Members yesterday and to-day on various resolutions regarding the committee system and the Governor's powers:-
This Council is of the opinion that Government by Executive Committee of State Council as proposed by the Donoughmore Commission is not suited to local conditions
Carried by 23 to 8. and is unacceptable to the people.
* No. 12.
+ No. 15.
*