333
. PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
THEPLIC.O.882/11
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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It will, we believe, not have escaped Your Excellency's notice that, under the proposals, the Governor's personal powers are the only real safeguards and guarantees Our for the welfare of the people: so that an almost intolerable responsibility has been placed upon one individual who is, constitutionally, without official advisers.
meil contemplates with anxiety the complete suspension of these safeguards which iniglit ensue from the Governor's illness or other causes that might incapacitate him from the effective execution of the duties of his office. Such a state of affairs we deem to be most unsatisfactory; and if any additional safeguards can be devised that will shield the Governor in his state of isolation and enormous responsibility and at the same time harmonise with the principles laid down in the Report, we shall give them our heartiest support.
S. In conclusion we wish to record our opinion that, since the Governor has been withdrawn from the sphere of politics, hut on the other hand has been given great additional responsibility, the dignity of his office has been much increased. It therefore seems necessary for us to recommend that this change of status should he marked by the provision of an establishment that will reflect adequately the exalted position the Commissioners intend him to occupy.
I have, &c.,
*
His Excellency
Sir Herbert Stanley, K.C.M.G.
C. 53429/28/6 [No. 7!.
(No. 776.) BIR,
No. 23
[Signature illegible,
President.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE
(Received 12th November, 1928.)
Queen's House, Colombo, 23rd October, 1928. WITH reference to my despatch No. 775 of the 23rd October, 1928,* forward- ing various representations on the subject of the recommendations of the Special Commission on the Constitution, I have the honour to transmit copies of letters received from the President of the Women's Franchise Association, Kandy, and the Honorary Secretary of the Lanka Maha Jana Sabha, which, although I have not been asked to transmit them, may be of interest to you.
2. Several other memorials and resolutions which have been communicated to the Government do not seem to me to be of sufficient importance to call for trans- mission to you.
DEAR SIR,
I have, &c.,
H. J. STANLEY,
Governor.
Enclosure 1 in No. 23.
Women's Franchise Association, Kandy, 19th September, 1928. WE have been directed by the above Association to convey to you their views on the following points, concerning the subject of women's franchise, as recommended by the Special Commission:--
1. This Association is unanimously of opinion that the age limit in the case of women should be reduced to 21 years. In suggesting this we wish to say that, as the Ceylon National Congress, not to mention other political bodies in Ceylon, we neither asked for nor would it be true to say that the most sanguine of us expected, that so extended a franchise either in the case of men or of women would receive the sanction of the Commissioners. But seeing that they have suggested that the franchise should be given to women irrespective of all considerations, save that of age. which they have fixed at 30 years, we are of opinion that this restriction is It has been held to be so incompatible with the trend of progress in this country.
The
in England, where the vote has been granted to all of 21 years of age and over. reasons that operated in bringing about the last enactment on the subject in the British Parliament apply with far greater force in this country. The age restriction proposed
* No, 22.
51
would have the unfortunate and anomalous effect of shutting out a large percentage of the very section of our women best qualified by reason of their education and enlightenment to exercise this valued privilege.
This Association is of opinion that
2. Requirements 'in regard to residence the insistence upon a 5 years' residence allowing for absences not exceeding 8 months in all during the 5-year period (page 87 of the Report) would involve grave injustice We mention the European to so important a community as our European friends. community in particular, because their absences from the Island involve considerations and reasons that do not apply to any other community. To group them with the Indian Immigrant Tamil population, who could visit and revisit their mother country at an expense of a few rupees and by journeys requiring not more than a day or two (whom we may incidentally say they employ) would not be in accord with facts or justice. This Association is strongly of opinion that this is an anomaly that should be rectified, and would be prepared to endorse any modifications of the recommenda- tions of the Commissioners which the European community might deem fit to suggest. This Association invites your serious thought and attention to the above points, and hopes that they would receive your support at the forthcoming debate in Council.
Yours, &c.,
The Honourable
SIR,
The Colonial Secretary.
LAKSHMI RAJARATNAM,
M. RAMBUKWELLE, DORRIS PIERIS,
Enclosure 2 in No. 23.
Lanka Maha-Jana Sabha,
President.
Joint Hon. Secretaries.
Siri Medura," Castle Street, 24th September, 1928.
I AM directed by my Sabha to forward to you for the information of the Government eight resolutions passed at the Annual General Meeting of this Sabha held on the 25th August, 1928.
First Resolution.
Proposed by Mr., S. W. R. D. Bandaranayake, M.M.C., &c., and seconded by Mr. L. M. P. Jayawardena, Notary Public:-
"That this Sabla expresses its grave disappointment that the Special Com- mission has not thought it possible to recommend a scheme of full responsible Government."
Second Resolution.
Proposed by Dr. C. A. Hewavitarne and seconded by Mr. Tudor Ranasinghe, J.P., U.P.M. :—
"That the Constitution recommended by the Special Commission should be given a trial subject to the proviso that each Department entrusted to an Executive Committee in the Report is placed in charge of a Minister elected by the State Council without being associated with a Committee."
The Hon. Mr. D. S. Senanayake, the IIon, Mr. E. W. Perera and Messrs. D. W. Wickramaratchi and Mr. Piyadasa spoke in support of the above. Third Resolution.
Proposed by Mr. Arthur V. Dias and seconded by Mr. J. N. Jinendradasa :— "That this Sabha, while welcoming the grant of franchise to males over 21 and females over 30 in the case of Ceylonese, disapproves the grant of equal And the Sabha recommends the con- rights of citizenship to non-Ceylonese.
tinuance of the franchise to non-Cerionese and extension to women under the existing restrictions and qualifications."
Messrs. D. C. Hanti Appuhamy, N. C. Cooray, G. Robert de Zoysa, the Hon.
Mr. A. F. Molamure, the Ton. Mr. D. S. Senanayake and Mr. E A. P. Wijeratne spoke in support of the resolution.
Fourth Resolution.
Proposed by Mr. J. E. Gunasekera and seconded by Mr D. B. Jayasinghe, Notary Public:-
That the powers reserved to the Governor are too wide and comprehensive and inconsistent with the grant of any measure of responsibility. The Sabha