§ 58. Mr. FERENSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the affidavit made by the editor of the "Ceylon Morning Leader," affirming the authenticity of the interview with Mr. Thurley, Madras Excise Commissioner, on leaving Ceylon; 713 whether Mr. Thurley was appointed to advise the Government of Ceylon as to the steps to be taken for the institution of a reformed Excise, to organise the necessary machinery, and to supervise its operation for a period after it had been put into working order; whether Mr. Thurley did so advise; what advice he offered; whether his scheme was adopted; and whether he will state the reasons why Mr. Thurley has not remained in Ceylon to supervise the scheme as originally intended?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. Mr. Thurley (who has denied the truth of the interview) is being asked for further explanations upon the matter. With regard to the remainder of the question, Mr. Thurley's deputation to Ceylon was for a period of three years, which expired in September last. The advice which he gave, in conjunction with Mr. Horsburgh, of the Ceylon Civil Service, who was associated with him in the inquiry, is contained in their report which has been published in Ceylon, and forms the basis of the changes now being introduced. Before Mr. Thurley's departure the policy of the Government had been definitely decided, and it was not considered necessary to retain his services for the work of supervising the establishment of the new system, which the Government felt, having regard to the accumulated information on the subject, could be equally well carried out by an officer of junior standing.
59. Sir HERBERT ROBERTSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a memorial from the Low Country Products Association, Ceylon, in opposition to the increase of licensed facilities under the new Excise Ordinance; whether he will give careful consideration to the facts laid before him in this memorial, with the object of meeting the wishes of the memorialists; and, in particular, whether, in view of the statements made in the memorial, instructions will be issued preventing any increase in the number of licences until the promised advisory committees are established?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI have seen a copy of the memorial in question, and shall give careful consideration to the representations which it contains when I receive it through the Government of Ceylon. As I 714 have already explained to my hon. Friend, it is not possible to postpone the issue of licences for the coming year until after the establishment of the advisory committees, but I am assured that no licences will be renewed or new ones issued where there is not proved demand for liquor; and, as he is aware, formal and detailed instructions have been given by circular to the Government agents to ensure that local opinion shall receive a proper hearing before any new tavern is opened.
60. Sir HERBERT ROBERTSasked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the resale of toddy rents in the Ratnapura district; whether he is aware that the Government agent has sold over 100 toddy licences in this area, but that only about one-third of that number of shops have been opened; whether he is aware that in the Kuruwita division the purchaser of the toddy rents has opened three shops, but has been called upon by the Government agent to open seven more; and whether, in view of this evidence that the licences issued are in excess of the real demand, instructions will be issued to the Government agent to refrain from insisting upon the opening of this excessive number of toddy shops in these areas?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI am aware that statements have been made to this effect, but I am not aware whether they are correct. I am expecting a Report upon the matter from the officer administering the government. The fact that it has been found necessary to resell toddy licences in certain districts does not necessarily show that there is no demand for liquor in such districts in view of the prevalence of illicit consumption, and the opposition of persons interested in the arrack trade. As my hon. Friend is aware, one of the main principles on which the recommendations in the Excise Report with regard to retail trade were based, was that legal facilities should be given where extensive illicit sale is known to be going on.
§ Dr. CHAPPLEIs this not a case where the liquor itself creates the demand?
§ Mr. HARCOURTNo; I am not quite sure that is the fact in view of my knowledge of what has been the illicit sale.