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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE Reference :—
C.O.882/11
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
The Hon. Mr. W. Duraiswamy to move-
46
This Council is of opinion that it is not necessary to extend the franchise to women of our country, but in view of a desire expressed by the educated section, franchise may be granted to those above 21 years of age and possessed of a literacy qualification equivalent to the School-Leaving Certificate Standard in English, Tamil, or Sinhalese.
V.-COMMUNAL REPRESENTATION.
The Hon. Mr. G. A. H. Wille to move-
That in the opinion of this Council provision should be made in the proposed Con- stitution for ensuring, by means of special electorates or otherwise, the presence in the State Council of Members of the minority communities who shall have equal rights and status with other members.
(Rejected by 17 to 12.)
The Hon. Mr. T. B. Jayah to move-
That in the opinion of this Council provision should be made for the adequate representation of the Muslim and other recognised minority communities in the Reformed Council either by the reservation of elected seats or by some other arrangement such as will ensure the election of members of such communities.
(Rejected by 17 to 12.)
VI. FINANCE.
The Hon. Mr. H. R. Freeman to move-
In the opinion of this House the numerical strength of the next Council need not be in excess of 50, as at present, and provision for ministries should be such as not to involve increased taxation.
The Hon. Mr. G. A. H. Wille to move-
That this Council regards the scheme proposed in regard to the Constitution of the Ministry and of the State Council as unduly burdensome to the Colony and considers— (a) That the proposed Ministers should be reduced from 7 to 4, the various depart- ments being regrouped.
(b) That the salaries of Ministers and of the Speaker should be reduced from Rs. 27,000 per annum to Rs. 18,000 per annum.
(Carried by 17 to 4.)
(c) That the offices of Chairman of Committees and Deputy Chairman of Com- mittees to act as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the proposed Standing Legislative Committees are unnecessary, as are also the proposed Legislative Committees. That in any case the salaries should be reduced from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 9,000 per annum each. (That the proposed increase in the number of territorial members from 23 to 65 is excessive.
(Carried 10 to 9.)
(e) That the payments to Councillors should be reduced from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 5,000 per annum for members residing in outstations and from Rs. 4,200 to Rs. 3,000 for members residing in Colombo.
VII. TERM OF COUNCIL..
The Hon. Mr. C. W. W. Kannangara to move-
The duration of the State Council under the proposed New Constitution should be reduced to three years.
The Hon. Mr. T. B. Jayah to move-
That the term of office of members of the Reformed Council should be five as at present instead of four as proposed by the Commission.
VIII.
RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT.
The Hon. Mr. C. W. W. Kannangara to move—
This Council requests the Right Honourable Secretary of State for the Colonies to advise His Majesty to include in the next Order in Council for a new Constitution a pro- vision indicating a period within or at the expiration of which the people of this Island will be granted full responsible Government.
(Carried 14 to 10.)
47
The Hon. Mr. T. B. Jayah to move-
That in the opinion of this Council a statutory guarantee should be given for the ́establishment within a decade of full responsible Government.
IX. PUBLIC SERVICE.
The Hon. Mr. C. W. W. Kannangara to move→→
(1) This Council disapproves of the suggested provision in the New Order in Council that the final decision in all matters affecting the pay, allowances, pensions, prospects, and conditions of service of Public Officers should be vested in the Secretary of State.
(2) This Council declares that the powers assigned to the proposed Public Service Commission are in excess of the needs set out by the Special Commission.
(3) The discipline and control of each Department should be in charge of the Minister of such Department.
(4) This Council disapproves of the third principle laid down by the Donoughmore Commission for application of the right to be secured by the new Constitution to Public Servants to retire on proportionate pension with compensation for loss of career, viz., that the option to retire should be a continuous one lasting throughout the period of each officer's service under the Ceylon Government, and is of opinion that such option should be limited to a period of not more than three years from the inauguration of the State Council.
(Carried (amended) by 22 to 4.)
The Hon. Mr. W. Duraiswamy to move-
This Council considers that the appointment of another Salaries Commission 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 State Council.
(Carried nem. con.)
X-OFFICE OF CHIEF SECRETARY.
The Hon. Mr. V. S. de S. Wikramanayake to move-
This Council records its strong disapproval of the suggestion that the office of Chief Secretary should be filled from the local Civil Service. (Amended 11 to 10.)
XI. TITLE "HONOURABLE.'
The Hon. Mr. C. W. W. Kannangara to move-
This Council is of opinion that it is not necessary to continue the usage of the title "The Honourable "accorded to members of the Legislative Council in 1875.
(Carried by 11 to 10.)
XII. SELECT COMMITTEE.
The Hon. Sir P. Ramanathan to move-
That a Select Committee be appointed to consider the recommendations of the Special Commission appointed by His Majesty's Order in Council, 1923, and report whether they are suitable to the conditions of Ceylon, and, if suitable, whether they are workable; and if not, to devise, and report upon a scheme that is suitable and workable.
C. 53429/28/6 [No. 6].
(No. 775.)
SIR,
No. 22.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 12th November, 1928.)
Queen's House, Colombo, 23rd October, 1928. WITH reference to my despatch No. 701 of the 20th September, 1928,* I have the honour to transmit the following further documentst on the subject of the recommendations made by the Special Commission on the Constitution :-
1. Memorial addressed to you by the Chinafort Muslim Association, Beruwela.
+ No. 7 only printed.
No. 14.
1