CO885-11 — Page 230

CEYLON.

CORRESPONDENCE

[1926

1927]

RELATING TO THE

CONSTITUTION OF CEYLON.

223

1 The Governor,

Confidential (A)

November 6 (Rec. Nov. 29)

1927

2

To the Governor,

Confidential

January

Subinits observations Ou the question of political influence in connection with appointments and pro- motions in the Public Service, and requests views as to the action to be taken in the event of an attempt by the Legislature to prevent the Executive Govern- ment from discharging its responsibilities

Submits views on the points raised in No. 1 and sug: gests possible course for adoption, in order to avoid the use of powers under Section LIV of the Order in Council

Transmits draft Order in Council to amend the Ceylon (Legislative Council) Order in Council 1923, together with Legal Adviser's report and explanatory notes. also correspondence with the Chief Justice and the Indian Association

3

C.F. 22066/26 [No. 1]

No. 1.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 29th November, 1926.)

[Answered by No. 2.]

Ceylon, 6th November, 1926. WITH reference to my Confidential despatch of even date* in which I have endorsed and submitted to you for your favourable consideration a recommendation of the Director of Medical and Sanitary Services that Dr. Leembruggen-a com- paratively-speaking junior officer of his Department-should be selected to succeed Dr. Cooke, the Assistant Director of Medical Services, when he retires on 1st February next, I have the honour to address you upon the subject of the somewhat anomalous position which my Government to-day occupies when dealing with such matters, owing to the most recently granted constitutional reforms.

3 The Governor,

111

February 22 (Rec. March 15)

(Confidential (A).)

SLR,

4

4 To the Earl of Donoughmore

August fi

Letter of appointment as Chairman of a Special Com- mission to visit Ceylon to consider the question of the constitution

22

5 The Governor,

Confidential

September 19 (Rec. Oct. 11)

Transmits. with observations. a Memorial from the Kandyan National Assembly, praying for local self- government, together with memoranda thereon, for the information of the Special Commission

23

6 The Governor,

Confidential

September 20 (Rec. Oct. 11)

Forwards copy of a Press communiqué inviting repre- sentations for transmission to the Commission, to- gether with letters received in response to the communiqué and a list of Associations and individuals who desire to give oral evidence...

Transmite copy of correspondence with the Kandyan National Assembly regarding their Memorial relating to the constitution, and suggests that the Memorial should be officially referred to the Commission

31

7 The Governor,

Confidential

September 28 (Rec. Oct. 17)

32

8 To the Governor,

678

December 12

States that it is considered advisable to defer considera- tion of the draft Order in Council pending the report of the Special Commission on the Constitution of Ceylon

93

40296.

W6. 27704/2025. 30. 8'28.

J. J. K. & Co., Ltd

2. Reference to the despatches noted in the margin will show that it has long been recognized that it is contrary to the Mr. Chamberlain's Circular despatch of 18th public interest that use should be made of December, 1897; Mr. (afterwards) Viscount political influence in connexion with appoint- Harcourt's Circular despatch of 17th June,

ments to or promotions in the Public Service; 1911+; Viscount Harcourt's despatch No.

and the two first Circular despatches cited 134 of 12th March, 19151; Lord Arnold's

above were published in the Ceylon Govern- Circular despatch of 16th August, 1924);

ment Gazette on 21st July, 1911. However, and Mr. Amery's Confidential despatch of

for the reason given in paragraph 3 of your 11th December, 1924.

Confidential despatch of 11th December, 1924,

it has rarely, if ever, been found possible to take disciplinary notice of breaches of the rules relating to this matter which have been laid down for the guidance of public officers; and at the present time it is notorious that a great deal of lobbying goes on in various Departments with the object of enlisting the support of Unofficial Members of Council for the advancement of individual officers, or in order to induce them to bring their influence to bear in the selection of candidates to fill vacancies. In a small community such as that of Ceylon, every officer of any standing in the Public Service is well known, as also is the occurrence of every vacancy; and public interest concentrates upon questions of promotion, transfer, etc., to an extent which finds The influence of Unofficial Members has, of course, no parallel in Great Britain. been greatly enhanced by reason of the commanding position which they, as a body, now hold in the Legislative Council; and the persistency with which many of them attempt to exert this influence in the manner above indicated is highly detrimental to discipline and confidence in the Departments and is frequently very embarrassing to Departmental Heads.

3. Reference to the despatches cited above will show that action has hitherto been confined to expressions of the disapproval of Government of attempts by public servants to enlist political influence for their advancement, and to threats of disciplinary action if this rule be disregarded. which, as already noted, can very * File 19548 Eastern. + Not reprinted. 10578/15: not printed. § 51761 $24: not printed.

A 2

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