CO882-(1-2) — Page 128

Eastern

A vii

(see W. I Jh XIX

CONFIDENTIAL

II.

CEYLON.

། ། ། །

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

6

C.O. 882

1

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

| PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

[

I. THAT when Lord Torrington assumed the Government of Ceylon in the course of the year 1847, he found it labouring under great financial and commercial embarrassments, the expenditure exceeding the income by a sum of about 60,0001. per annum, and the balances reduced to 74,6971., a sum little exceeding the amount necessary to meet the current demands on the treasury.

II. That Lord Torrington upon his arrival took immediate measures to investigate both the financial and commercial condition of the island, with a view to relieve its trade by the removal of all unnecessary restrictions; to encourage the cultivation of the great staple produce of the island by the abolition of duties pressing injuriously upon it; and, finally, by a rigorous economy, to bring the income of the Government within its expenditure.

III. That the principal financial and commercial measures which Lord Torrington introduced in the course of the year 1847, and finally adopted, were beneficial and successful; viz., the abolition of the export duties, with the exception of the export duty on cinnamon, which was reduced to one- third its former amount; the equalization of import duties; the stamp ordinance, and the road ordinance, which, together with a large reduction of expenditure, has greatly promoted the prosperity of the colony.

That it appears that the export of coffee has increased from 293,220 cwts, in' 1847, to 362,682

ew in 1849. That the value of the export_of_

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B