CO882-(4-5) — Page 196

CEYLON.

CORRESPONDENCE

ON THE SUBJECT OF THE

GRAIN TAX IN CEYLON.

(In continuation of Eastern No. 50.)

93

7795.

No. 1.

LORD KNUTSFORD to SIR A. H. GORDON.

94

(No. 115.) SIB,

Downing Street, May 7, 1889.

16

Sir J. F. Dickson

T

June 16

(Rec. July 16.)

Remarks on the Report of the Select Com- mittee of the Legislative Council on the working of the Grain Tax Ordinance,

04

1878.

17

Sir A. E. Havelock

259

July 26 (Rec. Aug. 25.)

Transmita copy of a letter from Mr. Le Menarier, replying to certain statementa reflecting upon him in Sir J. F. Dickson's letter of 2nd January,

06

18

Ditto

209

July 26

(Rec. Aug. 25.)

Submits observations on the subject of Lord Knutsford's Despatch of 28th February.

101

19

Ditto

345

Sept. 10 (Rec. Oct. 6)

Encloses a further letter from Mr. Le 102

Mesurier, relative to the charges made against him by Sir J. F. Dickson.

20

Ditto

400

Oct. 10 (Rec. Nov. 4.)

21

To Sir A. E. Have-

lock.

821

Nov. 13

Submits observations on complaints made to him as to the hardship, oppression, and corruption which accompany the collection of the tax on dry grain, und recommends the abolition of the tax. Authorises him to take the necessary steps for the abolition of the tax on dry grain.

102

106

22

Ditto

23

Jan. 22

108

23

Bir A. E. Havelock

522

ee. 31, 1890

(Rec. Jan. 28,

1891.)

24

G. T. M. O'Brien,

Esq.

May 8

25

Ditto

May 13

26

The Cobden Clab

Aug. 6

I HAVE the honour to enclose a copy of a question by a Member of Parliament on alleged hardships in the working of the Grain Tax Commutation Act in Ceylon, with a copy of the reply by the Under Secretary of State.

2. I shall be glad to have your observations upon it, and to receive some report as to

the manner in which, and the extent to which, the commutation has been carried out up to the present date.

3. I gather from the newspapers that you have appointed a select committee to enquire into the subject.

Sir A. Gordon.

I have, &c. (Signed)

KNUTSFORD.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1.

Mr. Barbour-To ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is true that in Ceylon, by the new Commutation Act, the tax on the food of the people has been raised 50 per cent.

That by the method of assessment in blocks, irrespective of ownership, the land of one or more owners in the block may be confiscated, although such owners were ready to pay, and had tendered payment. And that, as stated in the "Ceylon Independent of the 22nd of February last, in one district alone, over 2,000 acres had been sold for default and thrown out of cultivation.

Observes that the Secretary of State sees no reason to direct any further investiga- tion into the charges made by Sir J. F. Dickson against Mr. Le Mesurier, with whose character for zeal and ability he is well satisfied,

Encloses "an ordinance to abolish the tax

on dry grain."

109

Submits observations on Mr. La Mesurier's 110

letter of 3rd April.

Remarks upon Mr. Wall's letter of April 113

15th, on the subject of the paddy tax.

Transmite letter from the Club Com. 118

mittee, urging the repeal of the paddy

fax.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1.

"No information has reached this Office which enables me to reply in detail to these questions, neither has the Secretary of State heard or any hardship being caused by the working of the Commutation Act of 1878, which was introduced solely in the interest of the native cultivator, but inquiry will be made of the Governor.”

I 6BOSS.

A

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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THELLC.O. 882

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