423
34
life by infusing into the tranquil atmosphere of this country the spirit of obstruction and insurgency manifesting itself in so sinister a manner in public affairs on the mainland. It is the creed of our Association that social and educational progress must precede the assumption of political rights and responsibilities, and in tentatively suggesting the adoption of the elective principle after the quinquennial period mentioned in the Reform despatch, the Association only desired to point out the need for a fair period of political apprenticeship to be served by the community before its investment with larger political powers.
The present artificial agitation for electoral association for the Indian community, in spite of the patent fact that the elective principle will only transfer power to a floating population of unintelligent labourers whose dominant interests are centred in South India, and will deprive the enlightened classes of the community permanently settled in the Island of the chance of safeguarding their political rights and privileges, is indicative of the wanton and irresponsible spirit in which it is sought to work the principle of representation which His Excellency the Governor has so benevolently conceded to the Indian population as the result of untiring efforts for years past, on the part of this Association, for that behalf.
The Association, therefore, respectfully requests that this communication may, with all convenient speed, be placed before His Excellency the Governor, whose considered views, the White Paper states, His Grace the Duke of Devonshire will await before arriving at any decision.
If the memorial previously submitted by this Association produced the impression on the Government and the Colonial Office that the Association was anywise in favour of election, except as an eventual principle towards the adoption of which much preparation was necessary beforehand, the present explanation of the matter, it is hoped, will serve to dispel all doubts as to the earnest desire of the Association to see the principle of nomination employed, in respect of both seats, or at all events, of one seat, for the next five years at least, during which period the new Reforms will receive fair trial.
Thanking you in advance for your courteous compliance.
beg leave to remain, &c.,
35
Enclosure 1 in No. 31.
SIR,
"Osborne Lodge," Barnes Place, Colombo, 6th August, 1923. I HAVE been requested by my constituents to place before His Excellency the Governor the following resolution which was unanimously adopted at a public meeting held at Batticaloa on the 2nd instant :—
"That in the event of the Tamils of Colombo not being given a seat under the proposed scheme of Reform of the Legislative Council, His Excellency be graciously pleased to allot that seat to the Eastern Province." 2. I wish to add that whatever justification there might have been at one time for the reservation of a seat for the Tamils in Colombo, none such exists now.
8. Five of the candidates for seats in Jaffna are permanent residents of Colombo, viz.-Sir P. Ramanathan, Messrs. K. Balasingham, ex-Tamil member, T. Karalapillai Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, H. A. P. Sandrasegara and A. Mahadeva. Two of these, namely, Sir P. Ramanathan and Mr. K. Balasingham,
are so far unopposed.
4.
All races and interests in the capital town of Colombo, will, in fact, be over-represented, and in my humble opinion it is the backward provinces like mine that require fuller representation; this course if adopted will not only eliminate the estranged feelings that unfortunately exist now between the Sinhalese and the Tamils, but will, I am sure, be more acceptable to both communities than the addition of another seat to Jaffna
I trust that His Excellency the Governor will place these views by cable or otherwise before the Right Honourable the Secretary of State before he arrives at a decision on this question.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary,
Colombo.
I am, &c.,
E. R. TAMBIMUTTU,
M. L. C.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary,
Colombo.
A. S. JOHN, Honorary Secretary, The Indian Association of Ceylon.
SIR,
Enclosure 2 in No. 31.
THE resolution regarding the Colombo Tamil seat, passed at the public
Colombo, 7th August, 1923. meeting held under your presidency at Batticaloa, on the 2nd instant, is needless, because the Right Honourable the Secretary of State has not receded from his decision as announced in his despatch of January last. He only conveyed to His Excellency the Governor Mr. H. J. C. Pereira's proposal for the abolition of the Colombo Tamil seat.
This proposal has been rejected by the Jaffna 'Association, the Ceylon Mahajana Sabha, the Ceylon Tamil League and other public bodies.
Yours, &c.,
C. Muthaya, Esq., J.P., Batticaloa.
P. RAMANATHAN.
43536
(No. 550.)
No. 31.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 3rd September, 1923.) [Answered by No. 35.]
MY LORD DUKE,
Ceylon, 14th August, 1923. I HAVE the honour to transmit a copy of a letter dated 6th August, 1923, received from Mr. E. R. Tambimuttu, who represents the Eastern Province in the Legislative Council, relative to a Resolution passed at a public meeting held at Batticaloa on the 2nd August, asking that in the event of the Tamils of Colombo not being allotted a seat under the new scheme of constitutional reform, that seat may be allocated to the Eastern Province. I also attach a copy of a letter addressed to the Chairman of the public meeting in question by Sir P. Ramanathan.
have, &c.,
W. H. MANNING,
Governor, &c.
43537
No. 32.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 3rd September, 1923.)
(No. 557.) MY LORD DUKE,
[Answered by No. 35.]
Ceylon, 14th August, 1923.
I HAVE the honour to transmit a copy of a memorandum prepared by the Committee of the Ceylon Tamil League on the subject of the seat to be allotted in the new Legislative Council to the Tamils of Colombo, together with a copy of a covering letter received from the Honorary Secretary of that Association.
I have, &c.,
W. H. MANNING,
D 2
Governor, &c,
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
FIT LITT
CO. 882/10
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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