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(2) Nominations to State Council, and the Jaffna Boycott.
C. 83301/31 [No. 1].
No. 163.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 11.40 a.m., 2nd May, 1931.) TELEGRAM.
No. 103. 2ND MAY. General Election State Council will probably take place from 13th June to the 20th June, first meeting of the Council being probably held 29th June.
therefore request that His Majesty's approval be conveyed to me to following addi tions, to be made by Proclamation in Gazette at my discretion, to Article 23.
Begins If in any electoral districts upon date as specified for nomination of candidates in that district, either by proclamation or notice in accordance with Clause 4 of this Article, whether before or after this clause shall come into operation, or by notice in accordance with this clause, no candidate has been or is nominated for election, the Governor may, at any time within twelve months from such date, specify by notice in Government Gazette another date when candidates for election for that district are to be nominated, and unless, since last previous day of nomination for that district, the Council shall have dissolved. he shall so specify another such date at expiration of 12 months from that day if no candidate was nominated on that day. A date specified by notice under this clause for nomination of candidates shall not be less than fourteen days nor more than one month after publication of notice, and notice shall specify also place of nomination.-Ends
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C. 83301/31 [No. 3].
No. 164.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 6.5 p.m., 6th May, 1931.)
TELEGRAM.
No. 105. CONFIDENTIAL. 6th May. Nomination of State Council took place on 4th May. No nomination papers were handed in for any of the four Constituencies in Jaffna Peninsula. This boycott was only determined upon previous day. Ostensible reason is that new Constitution is no advance towards self-government. Real reason is no doubt dissatisfaction at what Tamils consider their inadequate representation. Amendment of Order in Council as provided by Article 97 (2) will eventually be necessary but I do not recommend any immediate action as I hope Tamils will them- selves realize folly of action into which they have been stampeded at the last moment. I will report further developments and proposed action in due course.
C. 83301/31 [No. 6].
No. 166.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Sent 8 p.m., 27th May, 1931.) TELEGRAM.
No. 105. CONFIDENTIAL. Your telegram of 16th May, No. 110.* I should deprecate permanent amendment of Order in Council which would seem to attach undue importance to local boycott of State Council. I would suggest that situation would be met by order or proclamation referable only to first elections and made under Article 85 of Elections Order in Council fixing another nomination day, such proclama- tion to be issued at your discretion if and when you have reason to suppose that there has been a change in local attitude.-PASSFIELD.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.882/11
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
C. 83301/31 [No. 5].
No. 165.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 7.35 p.m., 16th May, 1931.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 166.]
No. 110. CONFIDENTIAL. 16th May. My telegram of 6th May, No. 105.* State Council boycott Jaffna. Efforts are being made to induce candidates in other constituencies to withdraw, but appear unlikely to meet with success except perhaps in Batticaloa North (Trincomali). Jaffna candidates were undecided until the last moment, but were intimidated by members of Jaffna Youths' League. Several of them were personally not in sympathy with boycott, and I have little doubt, unless movement meets with entirely unexpected success elsewhere, they will manage to find some excuse for changing their attitude within the next few months. It would be great mistake to make overtures to them, but I am anxious to be prepared to meet any movement which they may make suo motu, and I wish to be prepared to amend State Council Election Order in Council without delay when suitable opportunity occurs, so as to enable me to fix another nomination day if I am assured that candi- dates will be forthcoming. Action under first sentence of Article 85 would probably be sufficient, but might be challenged, and a Proclamation under second sentence of that Article appears to me to be more suitable than Legislation under Article 4. 1
* No. 164.
C. 83301/31 [No. 12].
No. 167.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 10th June, 1931.)
(Confidential.)
MY LORD,
Queen's Cottage, Nuwara Eliya, 18th May, 1931. WITH reference to my Confidential telegram of the 6th May, 1931,† (copy enclosed), reporting that no nomination papers had been handed in for any of the four constituencies in the Jaffna Peninsula, I have the honour to transmit, for Your Lordship's information, copies of the following letters :-
(a) letter dated 11th May, 1931, from the Government Agent, Northern
Province, and enclosure;
(b) letter dated 12th May, 1931, from Mr. T. Reid, C.M.G., forwarding a report furnished by the Government Agent, Northern Province, on the probable causes of the boycott.
2. I do not think that the boycott movement need be regarded seriously.
I have, &c.,
GRAEME THOMSON,
* No. 165.
↑ No. 164.
Governor.
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