§ SIR ROPER LETHBRIDGE (Kensington, N.)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received any intimation of a wish on the part of the people of Ceylon that Her Majesty's Jubilee in that island should be commemorated by a reform in the constitution of the local Legislative Council in the direction of enlarged popular representation; and, if so, whether any steps will be taken to carry out that wish?
§ THE SECRETAEY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)Her Majesty's Government are unable to take the steps contemplated in the Question. The Constitution of Ceylon from time to time has formed the subject of discussion, and the Government has recently sent home a Memorial and a counter Memorial on the question. The population of Ceylon is composed almost entirely of Natives, and it is a matter of grave consideration how far it would be possible to entrust to them the responsibility of electing Representatives consistently with the system of Crown Colony government, which is the only one possible in Ceylon. At present there are six unofficial Members of the Council, representing the Burghers, the Cingalese, and the Tamil populations. Besides these, three Europeans, representing the general European community, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Planters' Association respectively, have seats in the Council. To fill those allotted to the Chamber and the Association, the usual practice is to invite those two Bodies to suggest the names of fit candidates, who are thereupon appointed. The Governor reports that the Memorial aroused no popular feeling, and was not supported by any unofficial Member, Native or European.