V
344
4
62
Whilst appreciating the benefits derived by the extension of the franchise, and the increased representation in Council, we view with alarm the curtailment of the legitimate powers of the institutions of a Government, where all political authority ought properly to vest, namely, the Legislative and Executive. bodies, and placing such powers in the hands of an individual, as being consti- tutionally incorrect, and as being fatal to the true development of democratic institutions.
5. The extension of the franchise and the right of representation in the proposed State Council to persons other than those permanently domiciled in Ceylon is unconstitutional, unprecedented and unjust in principle.
C. 53429/28/1 [No. 22].
M. B. GALAGODA,
No. 34.
Joint Honorary Secretary,
Kandyan National Assembly.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 3.2 p.m., 3rd December, 1928.) TELEGRAM.
3RD DECEMBER, Confidential My telegram of 28th November Confidential.* I have had long and on the whole satisfactory interview with eleven Unofficial Members on 1st December., Amongst them were the Principal Congress Leaders but also one Tamil and one Burgher who I believe are not members of the Congress. Delegates may be regarded as a generally representative group which voted together in some more important divisions during the debate on the Donoughmore schemes. Conversa- tion was confidential and non-committal but I think that I succceded in removing some misapprehensions and I am more hopeful than before that a solution which would preserve the essential features of the scheme and yet be acceptable to this group may he in sight. I expect to meet these members again a little later on and in the meantime I shall probably have opportunity of conversation with some representatives of the other group. I should prefer collective to separate discussion but at this stage there are difficulties, partly personal, partly communal, in the way which may or may not ultimately prove surmountable. I may perhaps safely say that the real position is not quite as discouraging as might have been gathered from recorded results of the debate but expression of any very sanguine anticipations would still be premature.
No. 35.
SIR,
63
Enclosure in No. 35
Kachcheri, Kandy, 30th October, 1928.
I HAVE the honour to forward a memorial addressed to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State by the Chiefs of the Central Province.
2. The subject of the Memorial is the proposal set forth on pages 122 and 123 of the Report of the Special Commission. The change most feared is the introduction into the Kandyan country of strangers, such as Low-Country Sinhalese, Tamils, and Burghers, with little or no knowledge of the customs of the people. This fear is quite intelligible, and I must confess that I sympathise with the Kandyans in the
matter.
3. There are two points on which the Commission has not touched :—
The
(1). If the introduction of strangers is contemplated corruption is bound to be increased, as the officers appointed will have no local ties or property. tendency to get rich quickly can only be counteracted by the payment of a much higher salary than that now given to Chief Headmen.
(2) I gather that it is suggested that these new officers are to be stationed at headquarters. If this is so their relative inaccessibility to the minor headmen and to the people in general does not appear to have been considered. If, on the other hand, it is proposed that they should reside in their divisions, the change is merely nominal.
4. There can be, of course, no objection to the training proposed for "Headmen Cadets," who might be of great value, but I strongly urge that the principle of local connection should not be abandoned. I am convinced that the introduction of men without the restraining influence of local ties will not be to the ultimate advantage of the villagers.
5. The question perhaps might be referred by Government for discussion at the next Government Agents' Conference.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary, Colombo.
C. 58429/28/6 [No. 12].
SIR,
No. 36.
I have, &c.,
H. W. CODRINGTON, Government Agent, Central Province.
THE ALL-CEYLON TRADE UNION CONGRESS to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received 10th December, 1928.)
Consistory Buildings, Colombo, Ceylon, 21st November, 1928.
I ENCLOSE COPY of a memorandum that I forwarded to the Labour Party for your information.
Yours faithfully,
A. E. GOONESINIA.
C. 53429/28/10 [No. 5].
SIR,
The GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 4th December. 1929.)
(Confidential.)
Queen's House. Colombo. 12th November, 1928. WITH reference to my despatch No. 834 of the 12th November, 1928,† forward- ing a memorial addressed to you by the Chiefs of the Central Province, regarding the recommendations of the Special Commission on the Constitution, I have the honour to enclose, for your information, a copy of a letter received from the Government Agent, Central Province, regarding this memorial.
2. In this context I may invite attention to my confidential despatches of the 19th September, 1927,‡ and the 24th October, 1928.§
I have, &c.,
H. J. STANLEY,
Governor.
* No. 31.
t No. 33.
No. 5 in Eastern No. 146.
§ No. 24.
Enclosure in No. 36.
The All-Ceylon Trade Union Congress, Consistory Buildings,
Colombo, Ceylon, 20th November, 1928.
MEMORANDUM REGARDING THE DONOUGHMORE COMMISSION REPORT OVER THE NEW CONSTITUTION FOR CEYLON
Ar a meeting of the representatives of the General Council of the All-Ceylon Trade Union Congress representing a membership of 211,000 of the Ceylon Labour Party, and the Council of the Ceylon Labour Union, the recommendations of the Donoughmore Commission appointed to report on a suitable Constitution for the Island were carefully considered, and it gives me pleasure to state that the meeting unanimously confirmed my acceptance of the recommendations subject to the modifica- tions that would be mentioned hereinafter.
On behalf of the thousands of workmen of this Island, the labour organisations express their grateful thanks to the Commissioners for the granting of manhood
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
PIC.O.882/11
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC. COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON