543
160
LOCAL POLITICAL ASSOCIATIONS.
Views of Local Political Associations on the Reform of the Constitution.
C. 63230/1/29 [No. 8].
(No. 994.) MY LORD.
No. 114.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 16th December, 1929.)
Queen's House, Colombo, 26th November, 1929. I HAVE the honour to transmit a letter (with enclosure) addressed to Your Lordship by the President of the East Ceylon Labour Union, on the subject of the reform of the present Constitution of Ceylon.
I have, &c.,
H. J. STANLEY,
Governor.
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accord with the defence of the unofficials set up in the despatch, and the Councillors having by their recent conduct, justified the animadversions of the Donoughmore Commission, proving themselves unworthy of His Excellency's commendations?
Many an exciting and a sensational melodrama has been staged since of late in the Legislative Council, by some of our stout champions putting the country into its present plight in their madness and obstinacy due to indiscriminate pruning of the Budget which made us to go on a deputation to His Excellency to save the working classes from the cross of unemployment; it is doubtful whether a more thrilling scene would not be staged, if the Reform Scheme is referred back to them. I dare say, with profound respect, that no greater error has been made than the decision that the scheme should be referred back to the Legislative Council for final disposal, to satisfy the narrow-minded prejudices of a contemptible minority representing not even 4 per cent. of the plutocracy pertaining to Congress mentality, with the inevitable result that the promise held out to 96 per cent. of the population, both men and women, is being allowed to fall to the ground Is it fair that the fate of 96 per cent. of voters should be subject to the will of not even 4 per cent, of the oligarchs?
It will be sheerest folly to torpedo the whole scheme by insisting on the acceptance
of impossible things, and lience I would respectfully submit that the earlier the Order
in Council on the Reforms is promulgated the better.
In the fine hope that it will be your Lordship's pleasure to take such steps as to weather the storm in the tea cup which those who belong to the Congress mentally try to
raise.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies,
Downing Street,
I beg, &c.,
N. M. VANNIA SINGHE.
Enclosure in No. 114.
EAST CEYLON LABOUR UNION.
Through His Excellency the Governor, Ceylon.
Batticaloa,
Ceylon, 20th November, 1929, MAY IT PLEASE Your Lordship,
In terms of a resolution passed at a Special General Meeting of the East Ceylon Labour Union, Batticaloa, held on the 11th instant, I have the honour to forward herewith, through His Excellency, the following resolutions, moved and passed unani- mously, at the said meeting.
Perhaps it would not be out of place for me to mention, with your Lordship's indulgence, that your Lordship's despatch on the Donoughmore Reforms is another instance of the statesmanlike manner in which the Labour Government tackled the Egyptian and Iraq problems, and a triumph for Ceylon public opinion, and may well be treated as ample justification of the wisdom and courage which have inspired the policy of His Majesty's present Government.
It certainly opens up for Ceylon an avenue for honourable co-operation, and to take a real hand in the moulding and framing of our future Constitution. It will be a grave national misfortune if littlemindedness on anybody's part should imperil the prospects of a peaceful solution of the greatest of Ceylon's problems at a juncture pregnant with possibilities. But on the other hand, it is monstrous that the fate of 96 per cent. of electors should be decided by a group of men who do not represent even 4 per cent. of the electorate, and this mistake of the Government will lead the country to a calamity, unless some amends are made early. Is it possible for those who have a contempt for the labourer to accept a scheme which will raise to citizenship the very people whom they hold in contempt and which will dethrone them from the position of vantage which they now occupy? Who will tolerate the arrogance of a representation of less than 4 per cent. of the people to speak for the whole country? Have not most of our unofficials shown a lamentable incapacity to deal with any question in a reasonable and sensible manner whenever their feelings were ruffled, as clearly the recent despatches showed? What was their attitude over the certification of the paltry increase on import duties? Have they not shabbily acted in the matter, owing to a National " sense of wounded dignity? Have we not in this country a so-called Congress; a National" Congress that stands in the way of the emancipation of "National " Congress that libels the masses and 96 per cent. of the population, a glories in doing so? Need I say that if His Excellency the Governor were given the opportunity of reconsidering his views he would not be so anxious to insist on the
unqualified success views of the present constitution to observe that it was an especially after His Excellency's faith having been rudely shaken, after the frank expression of opinion indulged in at the Queen's House Conference, which does not
37
London.
Resolutions referred to :-
Mr. N. M. Vannia Singhe. President, East Ceylon Labour Union, moved and carried unanimously :--
C
That this Union--(1) Enthusiastically accepts the Reforms as modified by Lord Passfield, as marking the beginning of a new era and considers any prejudicial move as a step which will create public resentment undoing statesmanlike act highly esteemed; (2) strongly protests against the reference of the Reforms to the Council, which is representative of not even 4 per cent. of the population; and (3) calls for a plebiscite unless the Imperial Governinent, meanwhile, forces the scheme through, as an Administrative Act," which step will be all to the good of the people, to promote unity and kill the canker of communalism." Mr. Francis R. Xavier, President. Batticaloa North League and Chairman, Village Committee, proposed, Mr. S. Subramaniam, seconded (carried)
"
** That this Union, on behalf of the Batticaloa North League and the working classes of this district, expresses its sincere thanks to Lord Passfield for granting the extension of adult suffrage and women's franchise in general and a separate seat for Batticaloa North in particular, as pressed, for the first time, by Mr. N. M. Vannia Singhe, who led the Deputation of the Batticaloa North League before the Royal Commission and also to His Excellency Sir Herbert J. Stanley, who has on every possible occasion given expression to his sincere sympathy with the reasonable aspirations of all Ceylon.' Pandit K. T. Ilyatamby proposed. Mr. A. Sinnatamby seconded (carried) :-
"That copies of the resolutions passed at this meeting be forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, through His Excellency the Governor."
N. M. VANNIA SINGHE.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.882/11
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC. COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO