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113

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

Acceptance by the Legislative Council.

1 Arachchi and 17 peons

Present Scheme.

1 Arachchi and 20

Rs.

Proposed Scheme.

Rs.

(A.G.)

3

peons (S.G.)

2 Coolies

300 444 6 300-444

6

peons

300-444

6

C. 63230/7/29 [No. 17].

240-300

6

2 Coolies

240-300

6

Enclosure 3 in No. 59.

ALLOCATION OF OFFICERS. Department of Legal Officer of State.

Staff Officers.

Legal Officer of State

Assistant to Legal Officer of State

Legal Draftsman

1st Assistant Legal Draftsman

2nd Assistant Legal Draftsman

Clerical and Minor Staff.

1 Chief Clerk (Class I)

3 Clerks in Class II

2 Clerks in Class III

525

£

2,400

1,050-1,300

لان

1,200-1,400

50 520-1,160

40 520-1,000

40

Rs.

3,000-4,260

180 900-2,820

120 480-1,200

48 1,140-2,200

60 and 100

300-444

No. 60.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 8.25 a.m., 5th November, 1929.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 61.]

4TH NOVEMBER. Confidential. Your despatch 10th October.* Constitution. I have discussed in the Executive Council the best method of bringing the question before the Legislative Council. Conclusion reached for submission to you was that, upon termination of proceedings on the Loan Ordinance, Motion in the following terms should be moved by the Colonial Secretary :-

Begins: That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable in the interests of Ceylon that constitutional changes recommended by the Special Commission on the Constitution with modifications indicated in the Secretary of State's despatch of 10th October should be brought into operation."-Ends. Arrangement could probably be made to secure suitable unofficial seconder.

1 still adhere to the recommendations in paragraph 64 (2) of my despatch of 2nd June,* as to abstention of Official Members, and subject to your concurrence I would propose to instruct the Colonial Secretary to conline himself to moving Motion formally, and in doing so to say that Official Members will not vote or participate in the discussion except in so far as might be necessary for the purpose of removing any misapprehension on points of law or fact.

Impossible as yet to predict fate of Motion, but prospect in the present Council does not look propitious. Opposition of Muslims and Burghers probably stiffened by reduction in number of constituencies and nominated seats. Tamil Members not likely to vote for acceptance. I am not sure whether and if so to what extent European attitude affected by reduction of nominated seats. Amongst Sinhalese Members opinion seems divided. Majority of them will be reluctant to reject but they may perhaps yield to clamour of minority irreconcilably opposed to Committee system and probably also to wide extension of franchise, though opposition to the latter possibly may not be stressed and attack may be concentrated instead on the Governor's powers. There seems to be also an impression that it might be advisable to procras- tinate until Simon Commission has reported, in the hope that a more favourable offer might then be extracted from His Majesty's Government. Labour Party and Unionists seem strongly in favour of immediate acceptance but the former has only one or two members in present Council and the latter is unrepresented.

In these circumstances Official vote might conceivably turn the scale but the use

of it would defeat the object which I had in view in pressing for submission of offer to the Council.

Grateful for early reply as proceedings on the Loan Ordinance may possibly terminate this week.

3 Shorthand-typists

1 Arachchi and 6 peons

6

Attorney-General's Department.

Staff Officers.

£

Attorney-General

1,600-1,750

60

Solicitor-General

8 Crown Counsel

1,400-1,550 50 520-1,000

40

Clerical and Minor Staff.

1 Chief Clerk (Special Class)

3 Clerks in Class I

6 Clerks in Class II

4 Clerks in Class III

Rs. 4,500-5,550

200 3,000--4.260

180

900-2,820

120

480--1,200

3 Shorthand-typista

14 Peons

*2 Coolies

* The two Coolies will serve both departments.

48 1,140-2,200

60 and 100

300--444

6

240-300

6

C. 63230/7/29 [No. 18].

No. 61.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Sent 1.20 p.m., 9th November, 1929.) TELEGRAM.

YOUR telegram of 4th November.† Constitution debate. I approve of procedure proposed. While official members should not vote nor engage in discussion Colonial Secretary should be prepared to intervene to remove misapprehension or

* Cmd. 3419.

† No. 60.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.882/11

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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