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E C R E T COPY N o .
.P.-15 ( 3 2 ) ,
C A B I I-T E T .
"BURNA ROUND TA^LF CONFFRENCE.
REPQR"
71
8P TEE. COMMITTEE 0 ? ^ P F
WHOLE C ONFERENCF.
The a t t a c h e d R e p o r t
of t h e
Secretary
of
in connection with
of
the
State
c i r c u l a t e d "by
India
for
January
at
at
11
January
9,
1932.
S.W.1,
a.m.
M.P.A.HAWKEY.
Secretary,
, Whitehall Gardens,
the
1 0 , Downing S t r e e t ,
1 1 , 19 3 2 ,
(Signed)
direction
consideration
I t e m 2 of t h e Agenda f o r
Cabinet t o be h e l d
on Monday n e x t ,
for
is
Cabinet.
Meeting
S.W.1,
B.C.6.
Burma Round Table
Conference
Report
of the
Committee o f t h e Whole Conference
S T . J A M E S ' S PALACE,
January,
1932.
S.W.I.
PREFATORY
NOTE BY
THE
CHAIRMAN.
I n p r e p a r i n g t h e R e p o r t of t h e C o m m i t t e e of t h e C o n f e r e n c e ,
I h a v e deliberately refrained from m e n t i o n i n g b y n a m e t h e i n d i v i d u a l
e x p o n e n t s of p a r t i c u l a r v i e w s , a n d , s o f a r a s p o s s i b l e , f r o m a t t r i b u t i n g
p a r t i c u l a r o p i n i o n s t o p a r t i c u l a r g r o u p s of D e l e g a t e s .
In doing so
I h a v e followed p r e c e d e n t s set b y t h e I n d i a n R o u n d Table Conference
a n d international Conferences.
T h e p u r p o s e of a n y C o n f e r e n c e b e i n g
t o a c h i e v e , b y c o n c i l i a t i o n a n d a c c o m m o d a t i o n of v i e w , a g r e e m e n t
o n t h e s u b j e c t s u n d e r d i s c u s s i o n , i t is t h e a i m of a rapporteur,
in t h e
p u r s u i t of a g r e e m e n t , t o p r e s e n t t h e g e n e r a l s e n s e of t h e o p i n i o n s
e x p r e s s e d ; a n d , s t r i c t l y , m y d u t y a s rapporteur
would perhaps h a v e
b e e n fulfilled b y t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n of t h e r e c o r d c o n t a i n e d i n t h e l a s t
s e c t i o n of t h e R e p o r t of t h e p o i n t s o n w h i c h g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t h a s
b e e n r e a c h e d in t h e C o m m i t t e e .
B u t t h e i m p o r t a n c e t o B u r m a of
t h e m a t t e r s u n d e r d i s c u s s i o n is s o g r e a t t h a t I h a v e t h o u g h t i t
necessary t o include in m y R e p o r t t h e views w h i c h h a v e b e e n
expressed in various quarters even when agreement has been lacking.
A n y a t t e m p t t o a s s e s s t h e i n f l u e n c e of t h e e x p o n e n t s o f d i f f e r e n t
views in the R e p o r t would be clearly improper, a n d t o catalogue t h e
s u p p o r t e r s a n d o p p o n e n t s of e v e r y v i e w r e c o r d e d w o u l d n o t o n l y b e
t o a t t e m p t s o m e t h i n g n e w in t h e p r a c t i c e of C o n f e r e n c e s , b u t w o u l d
in m y v i e w be b o t h a c u m b r o u s a n d u n n e c e s s a r y proceeding.
The
v i e w s of i n d i v i d u a l D e l e g a t e s c a n b e a s c e r t a i n e d a t a n y t i m e b y
r e f e r e n c e t o t h e verbatim r e c o r d s of t h e C o n f e r e n c e .
(Sd.)
5ih January,
(5764 C)
1932.
PEEL.
INDEX.
Paras.
Introductory
The Federated Shan States
1
2-5
P l e a for Maintenance a s Separate E n t i t y
M a t t e r s of c o m m o n c o n c e r n
..
..
The Legislature
(I) The Second Chamber
.. '
D e s i r a b i l i t y of S e c o n d C h a m b e r . .
Name
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
-..
. .
. .
..
. -
Powers
..
..
...
.r
..
..
Size
..
'
Composition
..
..
..
..
..
- M e t h o d of E l e c t i o n
..
..
..
..
..
Direct a n d Indirect Election
..
..
..
. .
R e p r e s e n t a t i o n of Minorities a n d Special Interests
. .
N o m i n a t i o n of Officials
. .
. .
..
..
. .
T e n u r e of S e a t
Q u a l i f i c a t i o n s of E l e c t o r s
. .
..
..
. .
Q u a l i f i c a t i o n s of C a n d i d a t e s
. .
..
..
. .
Life
. . . .
..
C a s u a l V a c a n c i e s .'.
..
. .
..
..
. ( I I ) The Lower House
Name
. .
..
. .
..
..
..
-.
Size
..
. . . .
..
..
.?
. Life
Officials i n t h e H o u s e
..
..
..
..
. .
N o m i n a t i o n a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n of Minorities
. .
Criticism of Minority Claims
. .
. . . .
. .
Absence of Agreement
..
. .
..
..
-( I I I ) Relations
between the two Houses
..
..
. .
Procedure regarding ordinary Bills
..
..
. .
Money Bills
. .
C e r t i f i c a t i o n of M o n e y B i l l s
..
..
..
-.
Solution of Deadlocks between t h e t w o Houses
. .
Joint Sessions
..
..
..
..
..
-Position of Ministers
..
. .
..
..
. .
D i s q u a l i f i c a t i o n f r o m M e m b e r s h i p of t h e L e g i s l a t u r e . .
The Franchise of the Lower House
1
1
6-34
2-9
6-19
6
2-4
2
S
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20-27
20
21
22
23
24-25
26
27
28-34
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
5-8
5
5
5
5
5
7
8
8-9
8
8
S
8
9
9
9
7
.2
--
35-36
9-10
35-36
37-43
37
38
39
40
42
9
10-12
10
10
11
11
12
The H i g h Court
Constitution
Q u a l i f i c a t i o n s of J u d g e s
..
Q u a l i f i c a t i o n o f Chief J u s t i c e
M e t h o d of a p p o i n t i n g J u d g e s
Vacancies . .
. .
. .
T e n u r e of A p p o i n t m e n t s
..
A g e of R e t i r e m e n t
Salaries of Judges.
. . . . .
44-50
44
45
46
13-14
13
13
13
47
48
49
50
13
14
14
14
..
..
and
..
..
..
..filling
...
. .
..
..
1
1-2
Question as t o w h e t h e r E x t e n s i o n of Franchise is necessary
Franchise and Citizenship
Qualifications for Franchise
..
..
..
. .
D e f i n i t i o n of L o c a l C i t i z e n s h i p
..
..
..
. .
Citizenship a n d Domicile
..
. .
..
..
-.
British Nationality plus Residence
..
..
..
T h r e a t t o B u r m a of U n r e s t r i c t e d I m m i g r a t i o n . .
. .
(5746 C)
..
3
4
Pages
..
. .
..
. .
Temporary
-.
-..
. ..
. .
c
Paras.
The Services
51-62
Pages
15-17
(I) Existing
members of the Services
. .
. .
..
M a i n t e n a n c e of R i g h t s a n d S a f e g u a r d s . .
. .
..
Retirement o n Proportionate Pension . .
..
..
Officers t r a n s f e r r e d f r o m I n d i a . .
. . . .
..
( I I ) Public Services Commission
..
..
..
..
Size
..
..
M e t h o d of A p p o i n t m e n t . .
..
. .
..
..
Functions . .
..
..
..
..
( I I I ) Recruitment
of the Services
(other
than
Medical
Service)
M a i n t e n a n c e of Efficiency
..
. .
..
..
E u r o p e a n Officers a n d M e t h o d of R e c r u i t m e n t
..
Burmanisation
. .
..
.
.
.
..
..
( I V ) The Medical
Services
in India
..
(ST) Loan of Officers from the Governments
Excluded Areas ( o t h e r t h a n t h e S h a n S t a t e s F e d e r a t i o n ) . .
51-53
51
52
53
54-57
55
56
57
15
15
15
15
15-16
15
16
16
58-60
58
59
60
61
62
63-65
16-17
16
16
17
17
17
18
Defence
66-71
..
..
..
..
T h e r e q u i r e m e n t s of B u r m a
. .
. .
. . . .
C o n t r o l of a r r a n g e m e n t s a n d i n f l u e n c e o f p u b l i c o p i n i o n
in Defence m a t t e r s
..
. .
. .
..
..
D i s c u s s i o n of D e f e n c e m a t t e r s i n L e g i s l a t u r e
. .
..
E x p e n d i t u r e o n t h e D e f e n c e of B u r m a
. .
..
..
B u i l d i n g u p of I n d i g e n o u s F o r c e s . .
. .
..
..
The Ministers
..
..
...
..
T h e C o u n c i l of M i n i s t e r s , i t s A p p o i n t m e n t a n d C o m p o s i t i o n
T h e n u m b e r of M i n i s t e r s
..
..
. .
..
..
Joint Responsibility. .
..
..
. .
..
..
Circumstances in which t h e Ministry should relinquish
Office
P o s i t i o n of G o v e r n o r
..
. .
. .
..
..
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n of R e s e r v e d S u b j e c t s
. .
..
..
R u l e s f o r c o n d u c t of E x e c u t i v e B u s i n e s s . .
..
..
R e m u n e r a t i o n of M i n i s t e r s
..
. .
..
..
The Governors Powers
. .
Reserved Subjects a n d Safeguards
Subjects t o be administered b y t h e Governor
G o v e r n o r s P o w e r of I n t e r v e n t i o n f o r p a r t i c u l a r
Emergency Powers . .
..
. .
. .
An Alternative Suggestion . .
. .
. .
F u n d a m e n t a l Safeguards for Minorities
. .
Commercial Discrimination
..
. .
Financial Arrangements
..
..
Governor^ Powers . .
Railways
A p p o i n t m e n t of F i n a n c i a l A d v i s e r
Loans
A p p o i n t m e n t of A u d i t o r - G e n e r a l . .
..
..
. . . .
purposes
..
..
..
..
..;
..
..
..
. .
..
..
. .
..
..
..
..
..
Conclusions of the Committee
Appendix
I.—Letter
circulated o n t h e 9 t h December, 1931,
a d d r e s s e d t o t h e C h a i r m a n a n d m e m b e r s of t h e B u r m a
R o u n d Table Conference b y t h e Shan States' Delegation
Appendix
II.—Upper
Chamber.—Geographical
distribution
of s e a t s o n t h e b a s i s of 3 0 d i r e c t l y - e l e c t e d m e m b e r s o n t h e
e l e c t o r s ' q u a l i f i c a t i o n s f o r (a) t h e C o u n c i l of S t a t e , (b) t h e
..
..
..
..
..
Legislative Assembly
18-20
67
18
68
69
70
71
72-79
72
73
74
19
19
20
20
20-22
20
21
21
75
76
77
78
79
21
21
22
22
22
80-86
80
81
S2
83
84
85
86
23-25
23
23
23
23
24
24
25
87-91
87
88
89
90
91
25-27
25
26
26
26
27
27-28
..
. . 29
..
.. 31
REPORT
OF T H E COMMITTEE O F
WHOLE CONFERENCE.
THE
Introductory.
1. T h e C o n f e r e n c e w a s r e s o l v e d , o n 7 t h D e c e m b e r , 1 9 3 1 , i n t o a
C o m m i t t e e of t h e W h o l e C o n f e r e n c e , a n d p r o c e e d e d t o c o n s i d e r t h e
H e a d s of D i s c u s s i o n w h i c h w e r e l a i d b e f o r e it b y t h e C h a i r m a n . T h e s e
w e r e d i s c u s s e d s e r i a t i m b y t h e C o m m i t t e e s i t t i n g a l m o s t d a i l y till
2 2 n d December, 1931, inclusive ; and t h e following R e p o r t records
the opinions expressed and the conclusions reached o n each.
The Federated Shan States.
2 . B e f o r e p r o c e e d i n g t o c o n s i d e r t h e s t r u c t u r e of t h e L e g i s l a t u r e
for a B u r m a separated from India, t h e C o m m i t t e e turned their
a t t e n t i o n t o t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e p o s i t i o n t o b e o c c u p i e d b y t h e
F e d e r a t e d S h a n S t a t e s i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e g o v e r n m e n t of a s e p a r a t e d
Burma.
I t w a s e v i d e n t t h a t t h e d e c i s i o n of t h i s q u e s t i o n w o u l d
m a t e r i a l l y affect n o t o n l y t h e c o m p o s i t i o n of o n e or b o t h H o u s e s of
t h e n e w Legislature, b u t perhaps also t h e w h o l e n a t u r e of t h e
government to be established.
3 . Plea for maintenance
as Separate
Entity.—The
Shan States'
D e l e g a t i o n , b o t h in d i s c u s s i o n i n C o m m i t t e e a n d a l s o i n a l e t t e r "
circulated subsequently, plainly indicated that while t h e y had every
s y m p a t h y w i t h t h e a s p i r a t i o n s of t h e i r B u r m a n f r i e n d s a n d n e i g h ­
b o u r s , t h e i r first o b j e c t i v e w a s t o p r e s e r v e t h e s e p a r a t e e n t i t y of t h e
Shan States Federation.
W i t h this aspiration t h e C o m m i t t e e
generally expressed s y m p a t h y .
A s t o their position in the polity
of a s e p a r a t e d B u r m a , t h e S h a n D e l e g a t e s i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e w i s h
of t h e Chiefs, w h o s e u n a n i m o u s v i e w s t h e y represented, w a s t o
m a i n t a i n t h e p o s i t i o n o f t h e F e d e r a t i o n i n t h e d i r e c t c h a r g e of
t h e Governor, subject to certain modifications which t h e y desired
in the internal administration.
4 . Matters of common concern.—It
w a s recognised o n a h sides that
b e t w e e n e n t i t i e s so c l o s e l y k n i t a s B u r m a a n d t h e S h a n S t a t e s
F e d e r a t i o n ( w h i c h is n o t m e r e l y a n e i g h b o u r , b u t a c t u a l l y w i t h i n t h e
t e r r i t o r i a l l i m i t s of B u r m a ) t h e r e m u s t b e m a n y m a t t e r s of c o m m o n
i n t e r e s t w h i c h i t w i l l b e n e c e s s a r y t o r e g u l a t e . I n t h e e v e n t of
* Vide
5764 C) 250 1/32
A p p e n d i x I.
C2
B u r m a b e i n g s e p a r a t e d f r o m I n d i a , B u r m a will h a v e a d d i t i o n a l
responsibilities t o u n d e r t a k e a n d n e w liabilities t o m e e t ; s h e will,
h o w e v e r , g a i n n e w a s s e t s . T h e F e d e r a t e d S h a n S t a t e s , a s p a r t of
t h e B u r m a n p o l i t y , w i s h t o b e a r t h e i r d u e s h a r e of s u c h liabilities,
p r o v i d e d t h a t i n r e t u r n t h e y r e c e i v e t h e i r d u e s h a r e of t h e a d d i t i o n a l
a s s e t s , e.g., c u s t o m s r e c e i p t s , w h i c h m a y b e e x p e c t e d t o a c c r u e a s
t h e r e s u l t of t h e s e p a r a t i o n of B u r m a f r o m I n d i a .
H o w t h i s s h a r e of
liabilities a n d assets s h o u l d b e d e t e r m i n e d will b e a m a t t e r for careful
e n q u i r y ; a n d t h i s q u e s t i o n s h o u l d , i n t h e v i e w of t h e S h a n C h i e f s ,
be dealt with b y the Governor.
5 . O n t h i s b a s i s t h e v i e w w a s t a k e n b y s o m e m e m b e r s of t h e
C o m m i t t e e t h a t t h e r e can b e n o a d v a n t a g e in t h e S h a n S t a t e s t a k i n g
a d i r e c t p a r t in t h e g o v e r n m e n t of B u r m a p r o p e r n o r i n h a v i n g a n y
r e p r e s e n t a t i o n in t h e L e g i s l a t u r e of B u r m a . T h e S h a n S t a t e s '
D e l e g a t e s , h o w e v e r , a r e of o p i n i o n t h a t t h e p o s s i b i l i t j r s h o u l d n o t b e
e x c l u d e d of t h e F e d e r a t i o n h a v i n g r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s i n t h e U p p e r
C h a m b e r f o r t h e d i s c u s s i o n of m a t t e r s of c o m m o n c o n c e r n .
Some
D e l e g a t e s desired it t o be r e c o r d e d t h a t t h e s u b j e c t w a s o n l y briefly
a l l u d e d t o i n t h e p r o c e e d i n g s of t h e C o m m i t t e e .
The Legislature.
( I ) The Second
Chamber.
6. Desirability
of Second Chamber.—There
was u n a n i m o u s agree­
m e n t u p o n t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y of a S e c o n d C h a m b e r , t h o u g h m a n y
D e l e g a t e s c o n s i d e r e d t h a t t h e necessity for t h e C h a m b e r d e p e n d e d
o n t h e g r a n t t o B u r m a of f u l l r e s p o n s i b l e s e l f - g o v e r n m e n t .
7 . Name of the Chamber.—The
majority view was that the Second
C h a m b e r should be called t h e Senate.
8. Towers
of the Chamber.—Many
Delegates considered that the
C h a m b e r s h o u l d h a v e p o w e r s l i m i t e d s i m i l a r l y t o t h o s e of t h e S e n a t e
i n t h e I r i s h F r e e S t a t e , a s e x p r e s s e d i n A r t i c l e 3 5 of t h e I r i s h C o n ­
stitution. The opinion w a s expressed b y other Delegates that the
S e n a t e should h a v e e q u a l p o w e r s w i t h t h e L o w e r H o u s e in e v e r y
r e s p e c t e x c e p t t h e g r a n t a n d w i t h h o l d i n g of s u p p l y .
It was suggested
t h a t i n t h e c a s e of a r e f u s a l b y t h e L o w e r H o u s e t o s a n c t i o n a g r a n t
d e e m e d b y t h e G o v e r n o r n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e c a r r y i n g o n of g o v e r n ­
ment, the Governor might be empowered t o obtain the necessary
sanction from the Senate. This suggestion was n o t supported.
9. Size
of the Chamber.—Numerical
suggestions ranged from
30 to 60, b u t stress was laid generally more u p o n the proportion t o
b e b o r n e t o t h e size of t h e L o w e r H o u s e t h a n t o t h e a c t u a l n u m b e r s .
T h e p r o p o r t i o n s s u g g e s t e d v a r i e d f r o m one-fifth t o a l i t t l e less t h a n
a h a l f of t h e size of t h e L o w e r H o u s e , a n u m b e r o f D e l e g a t e s b e i n g
i n f a v o u r of o n e - t h i r d .
10. Composition
of the Chamber.—General
opinion w a s in favour
of a C h a m b e r c o m p o s e d p a r t l y of n o m i n a t e d a n d p a r t l y of e l e c t e d
m e m b e r s , t h o u g h t h e r e w a s d i v e r g e n c e of v i e w w h e t h e r e l e c t i o n
s h o u l d b e d i r e c t o r i n d i r e c t , t h a t is b y t h e L o w e r H o u s e .
A s u b s t a n t i a l n u m b e r of D e l e g a t e s p r o p o s e d t h a t 5 0 p e r c e n t , of
the m e m b e r s should be directly elected on a territorial basis, 2 5 per
c e n t , e l e c t e d b y t h e L o w e r H o u s e f r o m a p a n e l of m e n of e x p e r i e n c e ,
a n d 25 per cent, n o m i n a t e d b y the Governor acting with Ministers
f o r t h e p u r p o s e of e x p l a i n i n g a n d s u p p o r t i n g G o v e r n m e n t p o l i c y
a n d f o r t h e p r o t e c t i o n of m i n o r i t y i n t e r e s t s . O t h e r s p r o p o s e d t h a t
50 p e r cent, s h o u l d b e e l e c t e d b y t h e L o w e r H o u s e a n d 50 p e r c e n t ,
nominated b y the Governor.
One Delegate suggested that part
s h o u l d be e l e c t e d b y electoral colleges, p a r t b y t h e L o w e r H o u s e ,
a n d p a r t n o m i n a t e d b y t h e Governor acting w i t h Ministers, for the
p r o t e c t i o n of m i n o r i t y i n t e r e s t s .
11. Method
of Election
to the Second
Chamber.—Considerable
d i s c u s s i o n t o o k p l a c e , f i r s t , a s t o . t h e m e t h o d of e l e c t i o n of t h e
elected element, a n d secondly, as to the m e t h o d b y which the
i n t e r e s t s of m i n o r i t i e s a n d s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t s s h o u l d b e p r o t e c t e d .
12. Direct
and Indirect
Election.—As
r e g a r d s t h e m e t h o d of
e l e c t i o n t h e r e w a s a c l e a r c u t d i v i s i o n of o p i n i o n b e t w e e n t h o s e w h o
f a v o u r e d t h e s y s t e m of i n d i r e c t e l e c t i o n b y t h e L o w e r H o u s e , a n d
those who supported direct election
Figures* were supplied to the Committee indicating the distri­
b u t i o n of v o t e r s , i n t h e v a r i o u s c o n s t i t u e n c i e s o n t h e b a s i s of
3 0 d i r e c t l y e l e c t e d m e m b e r s o n t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n of t h e v o t e f o r
t h e I n d i a n L e g i s l a t i v e A s s e m b l y a n d C o u n c i l of S t a t e r e s p e c t i v e l y .
O p i n i o n w a s d i v i d e d , i n t h e l i g h t of t h e s e f i g u r e s , a s t o w h e t h e r t h e
m e t h o d of d i r e c t e l e c t i o n w o u l d b e f a i r a n d p r a c t i c a b l e , f o r e x a m p l e ,
i n r e s p e c t of R a n g o o n T o w n .
1 3 . Representation
of Minorities
and
Special
Interests.-—The
n e c e s s i t y f o r t h e p r o t e c t i o n of m i n o r i t i e s a n d s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t s i n t h e
C h a m b e r w a s strongly pressed b y the interests concerned, b u t no
general agreement w a s reached as to the m o s t suitable m e t h o d .
One
opinion was t h a t on the assumption that minorities would continue
t o h a v e d i r e c t r e p r e s e n t a t i o n i n t h e L o w e r H o u s e b y m e a n s of s e p a r a t e
electorates a n d t h a t t h e elected e l e m e n t in t h e S e n a t e w o u l d be
elected b y t h e Lower House, the minorities would probably obtain
-some r e p r e s e n t a t i o n in t h e S e n a t e . O t h e r s p e a k e r s , t a k i n g t h e line
t h a t t h e r e m u s t b e s o m e b e t t e r g u a r a n t e e of a d e q u a t e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n
of m i n o r i t y i n t e r e s t s , a d v o c a t e d n o m i n a t i o n of m i n o r i t y r e p r e s e n t a ­
tives b y the Governor.
One Delegate agreed t h a t such nominations
m i g h t b e m a d e o n t h e a d v i c e of M i n i s t e r s . T h e s u g g e s t i o n w a s a l s o
a d v a n c e d t h a t m i n o r i t y s e a t s m i g h t b e filled b y d i r e c t e l e c t i o n b y t h e
communities and interests concerned.
*Vide
(5764 C)
Appendix I I .
C3
1 4 . Nomination
of Officials in the Second Chamber.—It
w a s also
p r o p o s e d t h a t t h e n o m i n a t e d m e m b e r s s h o u l d i n c l u d e s o m e officials,
w h o s e experience w o u l d be v e r y valuable t o t h e C h a m b e r in t h e
e a r l y y e a r s o f t h e n e w c o n s t i t u t i o n : b u t t h e o p i n i o n of t h e g r e a t e r
n u m b e r w a s t h a t officials s h o u l d n o t b e e l i g i b l e for s e l e c t i o n for t h e
n o m i n a t e d s e a t s , ^jjji^
^(Ja^ctU
S o m e D e l e g a t e s , h o w e v e r ; o h j o c tffil t o t h e a p p o i n t m e n t of officials
a s t h e G o v e r n o r s n o m i n e e s , "test- w o u l d a g r e e t o n o m i n a t i o n b y t h e
G o v e r n o r , a c t i n g w i t h M i n i s t e r s , t o 2 5 p e r c e n t , of t h e t o t a l s e a t s ,
of p e r s o n s t o r e p r e s e n t t h e G o v e r n m e n t s p o l i c y a n d s u p p o r t i t .
1 5 . Tenure
of Seat.—-There
w a s general agreement that the
t e n u r e of a s e a t i n t h e S e n a t e s h o u l d b e for s i x o r s e v e n y e a r s , a n d
t h a t a b o u t o n e - t h i r d of t h e m e m b e r s s h o u l d r e t i r e i n r o t a t i o n e v e r y
t w o or t h r e e y e a r s , t h o u g h s o m e D e l e g a t e s p r e f e r r e d t o a p p l y t h e
s y s t e m o f r e t i r e m e n t in r o t a t i o n o n l y t o s u c h m e m b e r s a s m i g h t b e
n o m i n a t e d or indirectly elected.
1 6 . Qualifications
of Electors.—It
was generally agreed that the
q u a l i f i c a t i o n s of e l e c t o r s s h o u l d b e h i g h e r t h a n in t h e c a s e of t h e
L o w e r H o u s e . S o m e D e l e g a t e s s u g g e s t e d t h e a d o p t i o n of t h e qualifi­
c a t i o n s w h i c h a t p r e s e n t e x i s t for t h e I n d i a n L e g i s l a t i v e A s s e m b l y .
( £ i v ^ / F h e D e l e g a t e s ^ a d v o c a t e d t h e p r e s e n t q u a l i f i c a t i o n in B u r m a for
e l e c t o r s t o t h e C o u n c i l of S t a t e i n I n d i a .
1 7 . Qualifications
of Candidates.—It
was unanimously agreed that
t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n s for c a n d i d a t e s m u s t b e m o r e r e s t r i c t i v e t h a n for
t h e L o w e r H o u s e , b u t n o final c o n c l u s i o n w a s r e a c h e d a s t o t h e i r
precise nature. Some D e l e g a t e s favoured the present qualifications
of c a n d i d a t e s for t h e I n d i a n L e g i s l a t i v e A s s e m b l y w i t h t h e a d d i t i o n
of p a s t a n d p r e s e n t P r e s i d e n t s of M u n i c i p a l i t i e s a n d D i s t r i c t C o u n c i l s ;
o t h e r s f a v o u r e d t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n s a p p l i c a b l e t o t h e C o u n c i l of S t a t e
a n d y e t o t h e r h i g h p r o p e r t y q u a l i f i c a t i o n s , or t h e h o l d i n g of r e s p o n s ­
i b l e p o s t s o r s o m e s p e c i f i e d e d u c a t i o n a l t e s t s . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d it
w a s p o i n t e d o u t t h a t if t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n s w e r e fixed t o o h i g h s o m e
c o m m u n i t i e s , e.g., t h e K a r e n s , m i g h t be a l t o g e t h e r p r e c l u d e d from
putting forward candidates.
18. Life of the Chamber.—It
w a s generally agreed that continuity
i s d e s i r a b l e i n t h e life of t h e S e n a t e a n d t h a t it s h o u l d b e d i s s o l v e d
b y the Governor only in special circumstances, such as the occurrence
of a c o m p l e t e d e a d l o c k b e t w e e n t h e t w o H o u s e s .
1 9 . Casual
Vacancies.—The
q u e s t i o n of t h e m e t h o d of
filling
casual vacancies was not generally discussed, but a suggestion w a s
m a d e t h a t t h e y s h o u l d b e filled b y w h a t e v e r m e t h o d h a d b e e n
e m p l o y e d i n t h e c a s e of t h e p r e v i o u s h o l d e r of t h e s e a t .
( I I ) The Lower
House.
2 0 . Name
of the Lower House.-The
majority v i e w was that the
L o w e r H o u s e s h o u l d b e c a l l e d t h e H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s .
2 1 . Size of the Lower House.—The
l o w e s t figure s u g g e s t e d for t h e
m e m b e r s h i p of t h e n e w H o u s e w a s 103. T h i s i s t h e s i z e of t h e
p r e s e n t L e g i s l a t i v e C o u n c i l , a n d t h e figure w a s p t i t f o r w a r d o n t h e
a s s u m p t i o n t h a t t h e s e a t s n o w h e l d b y t h e " official b l o c " w o u l d
be thrown open t o election.
On the other hand, a considerable
n u m b e r of D e l e g a t e s p r o p o s e d a H o u s e of f r o m 1 8 0 t o 2 0 0 m e m b e r s ,
j u s t i f y i n g t h i s figure o n t h e g r o u n d of t h e n e c e s s i t y of s p l i t t i n g
u p t h e present over-large rural constituencies.
A n increase in
c o n s t i t u e n c i e s w o u l d i n t h e i r v i e w b e e v e n m o r e n e c e s s a r y if a d u l t
suffrage at 21 w e r e i n t r o d u c e d , which w o u l d result in a t o t a l of
4 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 v o t e r s . A ratio of o n e s e a t t o e v e r y 2 0 , 0 0 0 v o t e r s w a s
suggested.
T h e r e w a s d e f i n i t e s u p p o r t for a p r o p o s a l t h a t , h a v i n g r e g a r d
b o t h t o e x p e n s e a n d e f f i c i e n c y , t h e H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s s h o u l d
c o n s i s t of f r o m 1 0 3 t o 1 5 0 m e m b e r s . T h o s e s u p p o r t i n g t h i s p r o p o s a l
questioned the a d v a n t a g e of giving B u r m a a larger proportion of
m e m b e r s t o the p o p u l a t i o n t h a n is the c a s e w i t h o t h e r countries
in E u r o p e or in t h e E a s t .
2 2 . Life of the Lower House.—It
w a s u n a n i m o u s l y agreed that*the
m a x i m u m life of t h e L o w e r H o u s e s h o u l d b e five y e a r s .
2 3 . Officials
in the House.—There
was unanimous agreement
t h a t t h e " official b l o c , " in t h e s e n s e of officials n o m i n a t e d b y t h e
Governor h a v i n g p o w e r t o v o t e as well as speak, s h o u l d be abolished.
The discussion w a s then directed t o the question whether it w o u l d
b e n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e H o u s e t o h a v e t h e a s s i s t a n c e of officials. T h e
m a j o r i t y of t h e C o m m i t t e e a g r e e d t h a t i t w o u l d n o t b e d e s i r a b l e
f o r officials t o d e a l o n t h e floor of t h e H o u s e w i t h m a t t e r s u n d e r t h e
c o n t r o l o f M i n i s t e r s ; f o r M i n i s t e r s w o u l d h a v e a c c e s s t o official
a d v i c e in the ordinary w a y .
T h e r e w a s m u c h s u p p o r t f o r t h e s u g g e s t i o n t h a t officials s h o u l d
a t t e n d t o e x p r e s s t h e v i e w s of t h e G o v e r n o r o n m a t t e r s r e l a t i n g
t o r e s e r v e d s u b j e c t s . S u c h officials w o u l d h a v e t h e r i g h t t o a d d r e s s
the House, but would not vote.
2 4 . Nomination
and representation
of Minorities.—Several
Dele­
g a t e s d e c l a r e d t h e i r o p p o s i t i o n o n p r i n c i p l e to a n y r e p r e s e n t a t i o n
i n t h e L o w e r H o u s e e x c e p t b y m e a n s of d i r e c t e l e c t i o n .
Others
c o n s i d e r e d n o m i n a t i o n n e c e s s a r y t o secure r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of certain
e l e m e n t s n o t likely t o secure adequate representation b y other means.
T h e q u e s t i o n of n o m i n a t i o n w a s t h e r e f o r e d i s c u s s e d i n c o n j u n c t i o n
w i t h t h e l a r g e r q u e s t i o n o f t h e c o n t i n u a n c e of r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f
m i n o r i t y c o m m u n i t i e s a n d s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t s b y m e a n s of s e p a r a t e
electorates.
(5764 C)
c 4
2 5 . I n t h i s c o n n e c t i o n , i t w a s e x p l a i n e d o n b e h a l f of t h e E u r o p e a n
c o m m u n i t y t h a t t h e s h a r e of c o m m e r c e i n E u r o p e a n h a n d s i s a s
g r e a t i n B u r m a a s i n B e n g a l , w h e r e t h e E u r o p e a n s h o l d 11 p e r c e n t ,
of t h e s e a t s i n t h e L e g i s l a t i v e C o u n c i l , a n d t h a t t h i s c o m m u n i t y
m i g h t t h e r e f o r e b e g i v e n 10 p e r c e n t , of t h e s e a t s i n t h e B u r m a H o u s e
of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s .
O n b e h a l f of t h e I n d i a n c o m m u n i t y i t w a s p o i n t e d o u t t h a t
Indian economic interests in B u r m a were as large as E u r o p e a n , a n d
t h a t t h e I n d i a n p o p u l a t i o n n u m b e r e d o n e m i l l i o n a s a g a i n s t 11,000
Europeans.
One proposal was t h a t the 23 seats now held b y the
" official b l o c " a n d n o m i n a t e d m e m b e r s s h o u l d b e d i v i d e d a m o n g t h e
m i n o r i t y i n t e r e s t s i n t h e p r o p o r t i o n of t h e i r p r e s e n t r e p r e s e n t a t i o n ,
v i z . , I n d i a n s 9, K a r e n s 5, A n g l o - I n d i a n s 1, E u r o p e a n s 4 , C h i n e s e 1,
a n d t h a t t h e I n d i a n s s h o u l d b e g i v e n a l t o g e t h e r 18 p e r c e n t , of t h e
t o t a l s e a t s in t h e H o u s e . A n a l t e r n a t i v e suggestion w a s t h a t t h e
t o t a l seats should be distributed as t o 50 p e r cent, on a population
b a s i s , a n d a s t o 5 0 p e r c e n t , o n t h e b a s i s of e c o n o m i c i n t e r e s t s .
One Delegate contended that t h e minority interests constituted
2 5 p e r c e n t , of t h e p o p u l a t i o n of B u r m a a n d h e l d 5 0 p e r c e n t , of t h e
c o u n t r y ' s wealth, d i s t r i b u t e d as t o 20 t o 25 p e r cent, in E u r o p e a n
h a n d s a n d 25 t o 3 0 p e r c e n t , in I n d i a n a n d Chinese h a n d s .
A s r e g a r d s t h e K a r e n c o m m u n i t y , it w a s c l a i m e d t h a t it w o u l d
be reasonable to give the c o m m u n i t y separate electorates in every
d i s t r i c t i n L o w e r B u r m a . I n a w h o l l y e l e c t e d H o u s e of 1 8 0 t o 2 0 0
m e m b e r s , t h i s w o u l d g i v e t h e m a n i n c r e a s e d p r o p o r t i o n of t h e
representation.
A suggestion w a s m a d e t h a t t h e Chinese should b e given 2 p e r cent,
r e p r e s e n t a t i o n a n d t h a t t h e L a n d o w n e r s ' A s s o c i a t i o n ( o w n e r s of n o t
l e s s t h a n 3 0 0 a c r e s of a g r i c u l t u r a l l a n d ) s h o u l d b e g i v e n 2 p e r c e n t ,
r e p r e s e n t a t i o n in t h e L o w e r H o u s e a n d one r e p r e s e n t a t i v e in
the Second Chamber.
One Delegate argued t h a t the Landlords'
A s s o c i a t i o n s ( o w n e r s of T o W n p r o p e r t y ) s h o u l d b e i n c l u d e d a n d t h e
percentage increased. An alternative suggestion was t h a t landowners,
together w i t h L a b o u r a n d other interests, a n d also districts inside
the elective area, b u t not yet m a d e into constituencies, m i g h t be
represented b y giving the Governor power to nominate up to 5 per
c e n t , of t h e t o t a l s e a t s t o p r o v i d e f o r t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of s u c h
i n t e r e s t s . T h i s s u g g e s t i o n r e c e i v e d s u p p o r t , b u t t h e m a j o r i t y of
t h e C o m m i t t e e d i d n o t f a v o u r s e p a r a t e s e a t s for L a n d o w n e r s or
Landlords.
O n b e h a l f of B u r m a - M u s l i m s , in t h e m o s t c o m p r e h e n s i v e s e n s e
of t h a t t e r m , a p l e a w a s p u t f o r w a r d for e i t h e r h a l f t h e n u m b e r of
s e a t s g i v e n t o t h e K a r e n s o r f o r a m i n i m u m of 4 t o 6 s e a t s o u t of
200 from a m o n g the seats allotted t o Indians ; b u t the suggestion
t h a t the I n d o - B u r m a n should be thus distinguished from t h e Indian
c o m m u n i t y w a s c o n t e s t e d o n b e h a l f of t h e l a t t e r .
2 6 . Criticism
of Minority
Claims.—These
various claims p u t
f o r w a r d b y t h e m i n o r i t i e s w e r e c o n t e s t e d o n a n u m b e r of g r o u n d s .
I n t h e first p l a c e , o b j e c t i o n w a s e x p r e s s e d t o n o m i n a t i o n i n a n y f o r m .
S e c o n d l y , t h e i d e a of s e p a r a t e e l e c t o r a t e s w a s o p p o s e d o n t h e g r o u n d
t h a t if t h e c r i t e r i o n of t h e e x i s t e n c e of a m i n o r i t y a d o p t e d b y t h e
L e a g u e of N a t i o n s w e r e a p p l i e d , n a m e l y , t h a t a m i n o r i t y m u s t
c o n s t i t u t e a t l e a s t 2 0 p e r c e n t , of t h e t o t a l p o p u l a t i o n , t h e n t h e r e
a r e n o m i n o r i t i e s i n B u r m a . B u t if i t w e r e h e l d t h a t m i n o r i t i e s i n
fact exist t h e n t h e y could claim n o m o r e t h a n freedom from dis­
c r i m i n a t i o n o r i n t e r f e r e n c e i n t h e s p h e r e s of i n d u s t r y , p r o p e r t y ,
t h e p r o f e s s i o n s , l e g i s l a t i o n a n d t a x a t i o n , a l l of w h i c h c o u l d b e
a d e q u a t e l y s e c u r e d t o t h e m b y a d e c l a r a t i o n of r i g h t s i n t h e C o n ­
stitution. I n m o r e detail, it w a s a r g u e d t h a t E u r o p e a n G o v e r n m e n t
servants would be protected b y statute, the European commercial
c o m m u n i t y c o u l d b e p r o t e c t e d b y t h e p r o p o s e d d e c l a r a t i o n of
rights, a n d E u r o p e a n s w h o identified themselves w i t h the c o u n t r y
could always get into t h e Assembly through general n o n - c o m m u n a l
c o n s t i t u e n c i e s . A n g l o - I n d i a n s w e r e m o s t l y m e m b e r s of t h e S e r v i c e s
a n d w o u l d h a v e t h e p r o t e c t i o n of s t a t u t o r y s a f e g u a r d s , w h i l e t h e
A n g l o - B u r m a n s included in t h e c o m m u n i t y should identify their
i n t e r e s t s w i t h t h o s e of t h e m a j o r i t y c o m m u n i t y . C h i n e s e c o m m e r c i a l
i n t e r e s t s w o u l d b e c o v e r e d b y t h e g e n e r a l d e c l a r a t i o n , w h i l e of t h e
r e m a i n i n g Chinese t h e British Chinese, who alone could be con­
sidered, should identify themselves with B u r m a a n d depend on
B u r m e s e v o t e s f o r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n . S i m i l a r l y , t h e i n t e r e s t s of t h o s e
I n d i a n s w h o w e r e p e r m a n e n t l y s e t t l e d in B u r m a w e r e identified w i t h
t h o s e of t h e B u r m e s e , a n d t h e t e m p o r a r y r e s i d e n t s h a d n o r i g h t t o
c l a i m special r e p r e s e n t a t i o n . A s r e g a r d s landlords, figures s h o w e d
t h a t o n t h e s u g g e s t e d b a s i s of a h o l d i n g of 3 0 0 a c r e s o n l y a b s e n t e e
l a n d l o r d s , m a n y of w h o m w e r e o n l y m o n e y l e n d e r s , w o u l d r e c e i v e
representation.
I t w a s u r g e d i n t h e c a s e of t h e K a r e n s ( t h o u g h t h i s
statement was at once disputed), t h a t there appeared to be no
u n a n i m i t y i n f a v o u r of s e p a r a t e e l e c t o r a t e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y f o r B u d d h i s t
K a r e n s , a n d it m i g h t b e possible t o m e e t K a r e n s generally by creating
a s u f f i c i e n t n u m b e r of m i x e d B u r m e s e a n d K a r e n c o n s t i t u e n c i e s
s o d e f i n e d a s t o c o n t a i n a s u b s t a n t i a l m a j o r i t y of K a r e n v o t e r s ,
w h e r e b y i t w o u l d b e p o s s i b l e for t h e K a r e n v o t e r s t o r e t u r n a
Karen member.
T h e v i e w w a s e x p r e s s e d t h a t it w a s n e c e s s a r y t o a v o i d t h e
p o s s i b i l i t y of a s i t u a t i o n i n t h e L o w e r H o u s e i n w h i c h m i n o r i t y
representatives could combine with a minority Burmese p a r t y t o
defeat the Burmese majority.
I n t h e c o u r s e of t h e d i s c u s s i o n t h e s u g g e s t i o n w a s t h r o w n o u t ,
b u t for v a r i o u s r e a s o n s d i d n o t p r o v e a c c e p t a b l e , / t h a t r e p r e s e n t a ­
t i o n of m i n o r i t y c o m m u n i t i e s b y s e p a r a t e e l e c t o r a t e s s h o u l d b e
p r o v i d e d for in t h e S t a t u t e for a l i m i t e d p e r i o d o n l y , s u c h a s
ten years.
(5764 C)
D
2 7 . Absence of Agreement.—Despite
g r e a t efforts m a d e b y m e m b e r s
of t h e C o m m i t t e e t o r e a c h a g r e e m e n t b y p r i v a t e a n d i n f o r m a l
c o n v e r s a t i o n s , i t is r e g r e t t e d t h a t n o s o l u t i o n of t h e s e c o n f l i c t i n g
views has been attained.
(Ill)
Relations
between
the two
Houses.
2 8 . Procedure
regarding
Ordinary
Bills.—The
q u e s t i o n of t h e
r e l a t i o n s of t h e H o u s e s i n l e g i s l a t i o n h a d a l r e a d y b e e n t o u c h e d o n i n
t h e d i s c u s s i o n o n t h e p o w e r s of t h e S e n a t e , w h e n i t h a d b e e n g e n e r a l l y
a g r e e d t h a t t h e t w o H o u s e s s h o u l d h a v e e q u a l p o w e r s in r e s p e c t of
t h e i n i t i a t i o n , a m e n d m e n t o r r e j e c t i o n of n o n - m o n e y B i l l s .
Definite
p r o p o s a l s w e r e n o w p u t f o r w a r d b y a g r o u p of D e l e g a t e s . T h e s e
w e r e (a) b o t h H o u s e s t o b e a b l e t o i n i t i a t e B i l l s ; (b) S e c o n d
C h a m b e r Bill a m e n d e d b y Lower H o u s e , henceforth t o b e t r e a t e d
a s i n i t i a t e d i n L o w e r H o u s e ; (c) S e c o n d C h a m b e r B i l l r e j e c t e d b y
Lower House not to be re-introduced in Second Chamber in the
s a m e s e s s i o n ; (d) i n t h e e v e n t of a m e n d m e n t of a L o w e r H o u s e B i l l
b y the Second Chamber the Lower House could either accept t h e
a m e n d m e n t o r d e m a n d a j o i n t s e s s i o n ; (e) j o i n t s e s s i o n i n t h e e v e n t
of r e j e c t i o n of a L o w e r H o u s e B i l l b y t h e S e c o n d C h a m b e r .
2 9 . Money Bills.—In
t h e e a r l i e r d i s c u s s i o n o n t h e S e n a t e a differ­
e n c e of v i e w h a d e m e r g e d a s t o t h e t r e a t m e n t of M o n e y B i l l s , b u t t h e
s u b j e c t h a d n o t b e e n e x p l o r e d in d e t a i l . I t w a s n o w p r o p o s e d b y
t h e g r o u p m e n t i o n e d a b o v e t h a t M o n e y Bills should originate i n t h e
Lower H o u s e only, b u t t h a t the Second C h a m b e r m u s t n o t r e t a i n
a B i l l for m o r e t h a n t w e n t y - o n e d a y s a s p r o v i d e d i n A r t i c l e 3 8 (a)
of t h e I r i s h F r e e S t a t e C o n s t i t u t i o n .
3 0 . Certification
of Money Bills.—A
n u m b e r of D e l e g a t e s t h o u g h t
t h a t t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for c e r t i f y i n g t h a t a Bill is a M o n e y Bill
s h o u l d r e s t w i t h t h e S p e a k e r of t h e L o w e r H o u s e , w h i l e a n u m b e r
of o t h e r s f a v o u r e d c e r t i f i c a t i o n b y t h e G o v e r n o r .
Alternative
s u g g e s t i o n s p u t f o r w a r d b y i n d i v i d u a l D e l e g a t e s w e r e (a) t h a t t h e
a u t h o r i t y m i g h t be t h e Governor acting in consultation w i t h t h e
C h a i r m e n of b o t h H o u s e s , a n d (b) t h a t t h e S p e a k e r w o u l d o r d i n a r i l y
c e r t i f y , b u t t h a t if h i s d e c i s i o n w e r e c h a l l e n g e d t h e q u e s t i o n s h o u l d
g o f o r d e c i s i o n t o a C o m m i t t e e of P r i v i l e g e s p r e s i d e d o v e r b y a
S e n i o r J u d g e of t h e H i g h C o u r t , o r t o a S e n i o r J u d g e of t h e H i g h
Court sitting alone.
3 1 . Solution of Deadlocks
between the tiao Houses.—General
support
w a s g i v e n t o t h e p r o p o s a l t h a t Bills p a s s e d in o n e H o u s e b u t r e j e c t e d
b y t h e o t h e r s h o u l d b e r e t u r n e d t o t h e o r i g i n a t i n g H o u s e for r e c o n ­
sideration.
I n t h e e v e n t of a s e c o n d r e j e c t i o n t h e r e s h o u l d e n s u e a
p e r i o d of d e l a y , s u b j e c t t o a d i s p e n s i n g p o w e r b y t h e G o v e r n o r i n
c a s e of u r g e n c y , f o l l o w e d b y a j o i n t s e s s i o n of t h e t w o H o u s e s .
The
m a c h i n e r y for this m i g h t be i n c o r p o r a t e d in t h e C o n s t i t u e n t Act.
3 2 . Joint
Sessions.—It
w a s s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e S p e a k e r of t h e
L o w e r H o u s e s h o u l d a c t a s C h a i r m a n of j o i n t s e s s i o n s of t h e t w o
Houses, but this was not supported.
It w a s generally felt t h a t joint
sessions should not necessarily be called in e v e r y case in which a
d i f f e r e n c e of o p i n i o n e m e r g e s b e t w e e n t h e t w o H o u s e s , a s i t m a y
s o m e t i m e s b e preferable t o d r o p a m e a s u r e in dispute. A s regards
t h e a u t h o r i t y r e q u i r e d for t h e c a l l i n g of a j o i n t s e s s i o n t h e r e w a s n o
general agreement.
Proposals designed t o provide some latitude
i n t h e c o n v e n i n g of a j o i n t s e s s i o n w e r e m a d e (a) t h a t it s h o u l d b e
c a l l e d o n t h e m o t i o n of e i t h e r H o u s e , (b) t h a t i t s h o u l d b e c a l l e d b y
t h e G o v e r n o r a t t h e r e q u e s t o f e i t h e r H o u s e , (c) t h a t t h e G o v e r n o r
if r e q u e s t e d b y e i t h e r H o u s e t o c a l l a j o i n t s e s s i o n s h o u l d b e f r e e t o
exercise his discretion.
T h e m a j o r i t y of t h e C o m m i t t e e c o n s i d e r e d t h a t t h e p e r i o d of
d e l a y b e f o r e t h e c a l l i n g of a j o i n t s e s s i o n s h o u l d b e b e t w e e n 1 2 a n d
18 m o n t h s r e c k o n e d f r o m t h e t i m e of f a i l u r e t o a g r e e , a n d t h a t
d e c i s i o n s s h o u l d b e t a k e n t h e r e b y a b a r e m a j o r i t y of t h o s e p r e s e n t
and voting.
Other delegates suggested that a two-thirds majority
should be required.
3 3 . Position
of Ministers.—As
is m e n t i o n e d in t h e section o n t h e
Ministers, it w a s generally agreed t h a t Ministers m i g h t be selected
from b o t h H o u s e s . There w a s also general assent t o t h e proposition
t h a t Ministers should have t h e right to s p e a k in b o t h H o u s e s , t h o u g h
t h e y s h o u l d v o t e o n l y in t h a t t o w h i c h t h e y b e l o n g e d . '
3 4 . Disqualification
from
Membership
of the
Legislature.-As
regards disqualification f r o m m e m b e r s h i p of t h e Legislature there w a s
a g r e e m e n t t h a t t h e r e s h o u l d be n o s e x d i s q u a l i f i c a t i o n , t h a t t h e r e
s h o u l d b e a m i n i m u m a g e l i m i t o f 3 5 for t h e S e c o n d C h a m b e r a n d
t h a t the present conditions regarding insolvents s h o u l d be modified
i n s u c h a w a y as n o t t o s u b j e c t a b a n k r u p t t o h a r s h e r t r e a t m e n t t h a n
a criminal.
One Delegate suggested that conviction b y a criminal
c o u r t s h o u l d cease t o disqualfy, a n d t h e r e w a s a d i v i s i o n of o p i n i o n
a s t o t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of d i s t i n g u i s h i n g b e t w e e n p o l i t i c a l c r i m e s a n d
crimes involving moral turpitude.
The Franchise for the Lower House.
3 5 . Question
as to whether Extension
of Franchise
is
necessary.—
Many Delegates proposed the adoption and immediate introduction
of a d u l t s u f f r a g e for b o t h s e x e s at t h e a g e o f 2 1 , a n d c o n s i d e r e d t h a t
t h e suffrage s h o u l d b e r e s t r i c t e d t o " c i t i z e n s " of B u r m a .
The
d e f i n i t i o n of c i t i z e n s h i p a n d i t s r e l a t i o n t o t h e f r a n c h i s e i s m o r e f u l l y
discussed in the following section. These Delegates also pressed
t h a t t h e first e l e c t i o n u n d e r t h e n e w C o n s t i t u t i o n s h o u l d b e c o n ­
d u c t e d o n t h e b a s i s of t h e r e v i s e d s u f f r a g e , a p o i n t of v i e w o p p o s e d b y
a n u m b e r of o t h e r D e l e g a t e s , w h o c o n s i d e r e d i t e s s e n t i a l t o a p p o i n t
a C o m m i t t e e of E n q u i r y b e f o r e p r o c e e d i n g t o e x t e n d t h e f r a n c h i s e .
(5764 C)
D 2
O n e o r t w o D e l e g a t e s c o n s i d e r e d t h a t n o e x t e n s i o n of t h e f r a n c h i s e
should be considered until the Constitution h a d been tested over a
p e r i o d of y e a r s o n t h e e x i s t i n g s u f f r a g e .
I t is a l s o p o i n t e d o u t t h a t ,
w h a t e v e r t h e m e r i t s of a d u l t s u f f r a g e , t h e p o s i t i o n of w o m e n a n d
u n m a r r i e d m e n u n d e r t h e p r e s e n t s y s t e m w a s illogical a n d r e q u i r e d
examination.
36. T h e discussion revealed a widely held opinion t h a t a case
e x i s t e d f o r t h e e x t e n s i o n of t h e f r a n c h i s e , b u t t h e r e w a s n o g e n e r a l
a g r e e m e n t e i t h e r ^ p n t h i s o r o n t h e q u e s t i o n s of t h e d a t e w h e n a n e w
franchise should be introduced a n d t h e machinery through which
any change should be made.
Franchise and Citizenship.
3 7 . Qualifications
for the Franchise.—-The
Committee had under
consideration t h e general qualifications t o be required as a condition
for t h e e x e r c i s e of t h e r i g h t t o v o t e a n d a l s o t h e q u e s t i o n of l a y i n g
d o w n i n t h e C o n s t i t u e n t A c t a d e f i n i t i o n of " c i t i z e n s h i p , " t h e
p o s s e s s i o n of w h i c h s h o u l d , i n t h e o p i n i o n of s o m e , b e a n e c e s s a r y
c o n d i t i o n for t h e r i g h t t o elect a n d t o b e e l e c t e d t o t h e L e g i s l a t u r e .
I t w a s i n d i c a t e d i n t h e c o u r s e of t h e d i s c u s s i o n t h a t , i n t h e v i e w of
t h o s e w h o a d v o c a t e d i t , t h e t e s t of " c i t i z e n s h i p " m i g h t h a v e a
w i d e r a p p l i c a t i o n t h a n for t h e f r a n c h i s e o n l y ; it m i g h t a l s o b e u s e d
a s a t e s t of e l i g i b i l i t y f o r G o v e r n m e n t a p p o i n t m e n t s .
It was,
h o w e v e r , i n r e l a t i o n p a r t i c u l a r l y t o t h e r i g h t t o v o t e o r s t a n d for
election t o t h e Legislature t h a t t h e Committee discussed the
q u e s t i o n . T h o s e w h o a d v o c a t e d c i t i z e n s h i p a s a t e s t for t h e r i g h t t o
vote a n d enter the Legislature took their stand on t h e general
proposition t h a t no m a n should b e privileged to t a k e p a r t , either as a
v o t e r o r a s a l e g i s l a t o r , i n t h e m a n a g e m e n t of t h e affairs of B u r m a
unless h e could show, either b y t h e p r o v e d intention to establish a
p e r m a n e n t a b o d e o r b y t h e f a c t of l o n g r e s i d e n c e , t h a t h e h a d a n
abiding interest in the country.
3 8 . Definition
of Local Citizenship.—Certain
of t h e D o m i n i o n s
h a v e , for p a r t i c u l a r reasons, defined b y s t a t u t e local citizenship as
d i s t i n c t f r o m B r i t i s h n a t i o n a l s t a t u s ; a n d i n o n e c a s e , t h a t of t h e
I r i s h F r e e S t a t e , c i t i z e n s h i p a s d e f i n e d i n t h e C o n s t i t u e n t A c t is m a d e
t h e s o l e q u a l i f i c a t i o n ( e x c e p t a g e ) for t h e f r a n c h i s e .
S e v e r a l of t h e m e m b e r s of t h e C o m m i t t e e a d v o c a t e d t h a t t h i s
p r e c e d e n t s h o u l d b e followed i n t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n for B u r m a ; b u t
s o m e d i f f e r e n c e of o p i n i o n w a s d i s c l o s e d a m o n g t h e m a s t o t h e
l e n g t h of r e s i d e n c e i n B u r m a t o b e i m p o s e d a s a q u a l i f i c a t i o n f o r
c i t i z e n s h i p , s o m e s u g g e s t i n g t w e l v e y e a r s a n d s o m e s e v e n , five o r
three years.
3 9 . Citizenship
and Domicile.—In
A r t i c l e 3 of t h e I r i s h F r e e S t a t e
C o n s t i t u t i o n , t h e p r o v i s i o n s of w h i c h a p p e a r e d t o c o m m e n d t h e m ­
s e l v e s t o t h e a d v o c a t e s of " c i t i z e n s h i p " a s a q u a l i f i c a t i o n f o r a d o p ­
t i o n i n t h e c a s e of B u r m a , c i t i z e n s h i p i s d e f i n e d i n t e r m s of d o m i c i l e .
M a n y m e m b e r s of t h e C o m m i t t e e s t r o n g l y d e p r e c a t e d t h e i n t r o ­
d u c t i o n of d o m i c i l e a s a q u a l i f i c a t i o n f o r t h e f r a n c h i s e .
It was
p o i n t e d o u t t h a t d o m i c i l e i s o f t w o k i n d s , of o r i g i n a n d of c h o i c e ,
a n d t h a t t h e l a t t e r f o r m p r e s e n t s g r e a t d i f f i c u l t y of d e t e r m i n a t i o n ;
for t h i s d e p e n d s n o t o n q u e s t i o n s of f a c t a l o n e , s u c h a s r e s i d e n c e i n a
c o u n t r y for a c e r t a i n a s c e r t a i n a b l e p e r i o d , b u t o n i n t e n t i o n t o
establish a p e r m a n e n t residence in t h a t c o u n t r y t h o u g h such residence
m a y in practice b e i n t e r m i t t e n t .
T h e a d o p t i o n of d o m i c i l e i t w a s
c o n t e n d e d w o u l d n o t o n l y g i v e rise t o c o n s i d e r a b l e difficulty i n
practice a n d t e n d to p r o m o t e litigation b u t would also disfranchise
a c o n s i d e r a b l e p o r t i o n of t h e n o n - i n d i g e n o u s c o m m u n i t y i n B u r m a .
F o r there are likely always t o be m a n y British subjects in B u r m a ,
r e s i d e n t f o r m a n y y e a r s i n t h e c o u n t r y i n p u r s u i t of b u s i n e s s o r
professional a v o c a t i o n s , w h o m i g h t n e v e r be in a position t o p r o v e
t h e i n t e n t i o n of s e t t l i n g t h e r e permanently.
A n o t h e r g r o u n d of
o b j e c t i o n w h i c h w a s t a k e n t o d o m i c i l e w a s t h a t t h e a d o p t i o n of t h i s
q u a l i f i c a t i o n is a t v a r i a n c e w i t h t h e g e n e r a l p r a c t i c e t h r o u g h o u t t h e
world which m a k e s t h e right t o vote dependent on nationality, not on
d o m i c i l e , c o m b i n e d w i t h a g r e a t e r o r l e s s p e r i o d of r e s i d e n c e .
4 0 . British
Nationality
plus Residence.—An
alternative which
r e c e i v e d t h e s u p p o r t of a s e c t i o n of t h e C o m m i t t e e w a s t h a t c i t i z e n ­
s h i p for B u r m a m i g h t b e d e f i n e d o n t h e b a s i s of B r i t i s h n a t i o n a l i t y ,
c o m b i n e d w i t h a p r e s c r i b e d p e r i o d of r e s i d e n c e of n o t l e s s t h a n 5 ,
a n d , preferably, n o t less t h a n 7 y e a r s .
It was recognised t h a t a
citizenship qualification on this basis w o u l d exclude from t h e
f r a n c h i s e m a n y m e m b e r s of t h e n o n - i n d i g e n o u s b u s i n e s s c o m m u n i t y ,
a n d to m e e t t h i s difficulty t h e s u g g e s t i o n w a s m a d e t h a t for s u c h
i n h a b i t a n t s of B u r m a , w h o c o n s t i t u t e a " s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t " a s
distinct from a community, t h e right to vote might be secured not
b y a c i t i z e n s h i p q u a l i f i c a t i o n b u t b y m e m b e r s h i p of a C h a m b e r
of C o m m e r c e o r s i m i l a r r e c o g n i s e d o r g a n i s a t i o n .
M o r e t h a n o n e m e m b e r of t h e C o m m i t t e e , h o w e v e r , e x p r e s s e d
a n x i e t y l e s t t h e i n s t i t u t i o n of t h e p r i n c i p l e of c i t i z e n s h i p e v e n o n t h e
basis suggested in the preceding paragraph might introduce not
m e r e l y r e s t r i c t i o n s of t h e f r a n c h i s e , b u t a l s o d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n f a v o u r
of i n d i g e n o u s i n h a b i t a n t s a g a i n s t B r i t i s h s u b j e c t s f r o m o v e r s e a s
i n r e s p e c t of c o m m e r c i a l e n t e r p r i s e , o r a t a n y r a t e a g a i n s t t h e
i n c e p t i o n of s u c h e n t e r p r i s e a f t e r t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of t h e n e w
Constitution.
4 1 . T h e i n c l u s i o n i n t h e C o n s t i t u e n t A c t of a d e f i n i t i o n of B u r m a n
c i t i z e n s h i p m i g h t , it w a s u r g e d , affect t h e f o r m of t h e o a t h of
allegiance a n d jeopardize t h e right t o appeal to c o m m o n British
n a t i o n a l i t y f o r t h e r e d r e s s of g r i e v a n c e s s u f f e r e d b y B u r m a n c i t i z e n s
i n o t h e r p a r t s of t h e E m p i r e .
(5764 C)
D 3
4 2 . Threat
to Burma
of Unrestricted
Immigration.—It
was
a d m i t t e d b y s o m e of t h o s e w h o a d v o c a t e B u r m a n c i t i z e n s h i p , if
only as a t e m p o r a r y measure, t h a t a principal purpose to be
a c h i e v e d i s t h e p r e v e n t i o n of B u r m a ' s n a t i o n a l i d e n t i t y b e i n g
s w a m p e d b y t h e u n r e s t r i c t e d i n f l u x of i n h a b i t a n t s of t h e d e n s e l y
p o p u l a t e d c o u n t r i e s l y i n g t o t h e e a s t a n d t h e w e s t of B u r m a .
A n x i e t y was expressed b y these Delegates a s to t h e degree t o which
I n d i a n l a b o u r e r s a n d i n d u s t r i a l i s t s ( w h a t e v e r useful p a r t t h e y
m a y h a v e played initially in developing B u r m a ' s agricultural a n d
o t h e r n a t u r a l resources) now t e n d t o dispossess t h e indigenous
i n h a b i t a n t s of o c c u p a t i o n a n d t o d e p r e s s t h e i r s t a n d a r d of l i v i n g .
R e f e r e n c e w a s m a d e t o t h e R e p o r t of t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n o n
I n d i a n L a b o u r i n r e s p e c t of t h e f l o a t i n g I n d i a n p o p u l a t i o n w h i c h
resides i n B u r m a f o r n o m o r e t h a n a few y e a r s a t t h e m o s t a n d r e t u r n s
t o I n d i a w i t h its e a r n i n g s ; a n d it w a s u r g e d t h a t B u r m a m u s t b e
empowered to p r e v e n t her own people from being submerged
racially a n d economically b y I n d i a n e n t r a n t s from t h e one side,
a n d b y Chinese from t h e other.
Serious d o u b t w a s expressed by
o t h e r D e l e g a t e s i n t h e l i g h t of C e n s u s f i g u r e s a s t o t h e g r a v i t y of t h e
m e n a c e w h e t h e r it b e r e g a r d e d from t h e racial, i n d u s t r i a l o r e c o n o m i c
s t a n d p o i n t ; b u t i t w a s c o n t e n d e d t h a t if i t w a s s e r i o u s i t s h o u l d
b e d e a l t w i t h b y o t h e r m e a n s , for e x a m p l e , b y n o n - d i s c r i m i n a t o r y
r e s t r i c t i o n s o n i m m i g r a t i o n . A s u g g e s t i o n w a s m a d e t h a t for
non-indigenous persons a qualification similar t o t h a t laid down
i n t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n of C e y l o n , v i z . , a l i t e r a c y t e s t c o m b i n e d w i t h a
p r o p e r t y q u a l i f i c a t i o n a n d a p e r i o d of r e s i d e n c e m i g h t b e p r e s c r i b e d .
T h e view w a s s t r o n g l y e x p r e s s e d t h a t it w a s n o t in B u r m a ' s interest
t o s e t u p a t e s t w h i c h w o u l d m i l i t a t e a g a i n s t t h e p r i n c i p l e of e q u a l i t y
of t r e a t m e n t f o r B r i t i s h s u b j e c t s i n a l l p a r t s of t h e E m p i r e .
Some
D e l e g a t e s h o w e v e r , m a i n t a i n e d t h a t t h i s p r i n c i p l e of e q u a l i t y i s
n o t in p r a c t i c e a p p l i e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e E m p i r e , a n d considered
t h a t in p r e s e n t c i r c u m s t a n c e s it s h o u l d n o t be a p p l i e d t o B u r m a .
4 3 . I n r e g a r d t o t h e t e s t for t h e f r a n c h i s e , m a n y d e l e g a t e s h e l d
t h a t it w o u l d be wise t o a v o i d r e c o u r s e t o . a n y qualification so
d i s p u t a b l e a s t h a t of domicile. A p r e f e r e n c e w a s e x p r e s s e d b y m a n y
for as simple a qualification as possible, t o r e s t firstly on British
n a t i o n a l i t y a n d s e c o n d l y o n l e n g t h of r e s i d e n c e i n B u r m a ; a n d s o m e
Delegates t h o u g h t t h a t t h e existing electoral rules p r o v i d e d a suitable
b a s i s f o r t h e f r a n c h i s e . O n t h e p e r i o d of r e s i d e n c e t o b e p r e s c r i b e d
o p i n i o n s v a r i e d ; t h e a d v a n t a g e of a r e c i p r o c i t y w i t h t h e U n i t e d
K i n g d o m , viz., 3 m o n t h s , w a s m e n t i o n e d ; b u t positive suggestions
r a n g e d f r o m a p e r i o d of 6 m o n t h s t o 2 o r 3 y e a r s . A s b e t w e e n
these suggestions a preference was expressed b y several delegates
for a s h o r t e r r a t h e r t h a n a l o n g e r period, for t h e longer t h e period
of d i s q u a l i f i c a t i o n t h e g r e a t e r t h e n u m b e r of a g g r i e v e d p e r s o n s
who pay taxes but m a y not vote.
The High Court.
4 4 . Constitution
of the Court.—The
C o m m i t t e e is g l a d t o b e able
t o r e c o r d a s u b s t a n t i a l m e a s u r e of a g r e e m e n t o n t h e q u e s t i o n of a
H i g h C o u r t . O n c e r t a i n p o i n t s , s o m e of c o n s i d e r a b l e i m p o r t a n c e ,
t h e r e w a s a d i v e r g e n c e o f v i e w . M a n y m e m b e r s of t h e C o m m i t t e e
t h o u g h t that the proper course w a s that the Constituent Act should
m a k e p r o v i s i o n for t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a H i g h Court g e n e r a l l y o n
t h e l i n e s of t h e p r e s e n t H i g h C o u r t , t o b e c o n s t i t u t e d p r e f e r a b l y b y
L e t t e r s P a t e n t a n d t o b e c o m p o s e d of a Chief J u s t i c e a n d J u d g e s
appointed by Letters Patent.
B u t s o m e D e l e g a t e s preferred t h a t
t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n of the H i g h Court s h o u l d be laid d o w n i n t h e S t a t u t e .
4 5 . Qualifications
of Judges.—There
w a s n o q u e s t i o n in t h e m i n d s
of t h e C o m m i t t e e a s t o t h e v i t a l i m p o r t a n c e f o r B u r m a , t h a t i n
s e l e c t i o n s for a p p o i n t m e n t to t h e H i g h Court the p r o p e r administra­
t i o n for justice s h o u l d be the sole criterion w i t h o u t regard t o race,
class or creed, a n d t h a t the qualifications at present prescribed
would appear to be suitable.
One Delegate was opposed t o the
e l i g i b i l i t y of m e m b e r s of t h e I . C . S . f o r a p p o i n t m e n t as J u d g e s o f
t h e H i g h C o u r t , a n d a n o t h e r s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e n u m b e r of I . C . S .
J u d g e s s h o u l d n o t e x c e e d o n e - t h i r d of t h e s t r e n g t h of t h e C o u r t ;
s u b j e c t t o t h e s e e x c e p t i o n s t h e o p i n i o n of t h e C o r n m i t t e e w a s t h a t
t h e B e n c h s h o u l d be c o m p o s e d of t h e b e s t m e n a v a i l a b l e w i t h a n y
of t h e qualifications i n d i c a t e d .
A k n o w l e d g e of t h e B u r m e s e
language a m o n g the J u d g e s w a s m e n t i o n e d b y some D e l e g a t e s as an
important desideratum.
4 6 . Qualifications
of Chief fustice.—In
regard t o t h e qualifications
f o r t h e a p p o i n t m e n t of Chief J u s t i c e t h e C o m m i t t e e w a s m o r e e q u a l l y
divided in opinion.
It w a s said b y some Delegates that, rightly or
w r o n g l y , t h e r e i s a f e e l i n g , n o t o n l y a m o n g m e m b e r s of t h e B a r i n
B u r m a , b u t a m o n g t h e p e o p l e g e n e r a l l y , t h a t t h e Chief J u d i c i a l
a p p o i n t m e n t s h o u l d b e filled b y a t r a i n e d l a w y e r o n l y , a n d t h e v i e w
w a s e x p r e s s e d t h a t t h e b e s t t y p e of a p p o i n t m e n t is t h a t of a K i n g ' s
Counsel direct from England.
F o r these reasons several of the
C o r n m i t t e e w e r e of o p i n i o n t h a t I . C . S . J u d g e s ( s o m e of w h o m o f
c o u r s e h a v e b e e n c a l l e d t o t h e B a r ) s h o u l d b e i n e l i g i b l e for t h e Chief
Justiceship.
Others, however, considered that the only criterion
s h o u l d be merit, a n d t h a t a n y p e r s o n qualified to be a J u d g e of t h e
H i g h C o u r t , i n c l u d i n g I . C . S . J u d g e s , s h o u l d b e e l i g i b l e for a p p o i n t ­
m e n t a s Chief J u s t i c e .
It was observed that on several occasions
i n t h e a b s e n c e o f t h e Chief J u s t i c e a n I . C . S . J u d g e h a s a c t e d a s
Chief J u s t i c e a n d g i v e n g e n e r a l s a t i s f a c t i o n i n t h a t c a p a c i t y ; a n d
i t w a s c o n t e n d e d t h a t t h e e a r l y a d m i n i s t r a t i v e t r a i n i n g of s u c h
J u d g e s i s a u s e f u l e q u i p m e n t for t h e d i s c h a r g e o f t h e m a n i f o l d
a d m i n i s t r a t i v e d u t i e s a t t a c h e d t o t h e p o s t of Chief J u s t i c e .
The
o p i n i o n of t h e C o m m i t t e e w a s , h o w e v e r , d i v i d e d o n t h i s p o i n t .
4 7 . Method of appointing
fudges and filling Temporary
Vacancies.—
Opinion w a s similarly divided a s t o where t h e responsibility should
(5764 C)
D4
lie f o r r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s t o t h e B e n c h . I t w a s a g r e e d , e x c e p t b y
o n e s e c t i o n of D e l e g a t e s , t h a t a p p o i n t m e n t s h o u l d b e b y t h e C r o w n ,
b u t , s e t t i n g a p a r t t h e c a s e of a p p o i n t m e n t s f r o m t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m
(to w h i c h o n e o r t w o D e l e g a t e s w e r e o p p o s e d ) , o p i n i o n w a s d i v i d e d
as t o w h e t h e r r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s t o t h e Crown should be m a d e b y
t h e G o v e r n o r in his u n f e t t e r e d discretion (though n o d o u b t after
consultation with those c o m p e t e n t to advise), or at his discretion
from a list p u t before h i m b y h i s Ministers, or s t r i c t l y i n a c c o r d a n c e
w i t h t h e i r a d v i c e . T h e e x i s t i n g p r a c t i c e of a p p o i n t i n g
temporary
additional J u d g e s who revert to t h e B a r was generally disapproved.
I t w a s p o i n t e d o u t t h a t if t h e C o u r t r e q u i r e d a s s i s t a n c e a n a d d i t i o n a l
J u d g e c o u l d b e a p p o i n t e d a n d t h e o r i g i n a l s t r e n g t h of t h e C o u r t
r e s t o r e d o n t h e o c c u r r e n c e of a v a c a n c y . I t w a s a g r e e d b y m a n y
t h a t acting a p p o i n t m e n t s in s h o r t t e r m vacancies should be m a d e
from a m o n g all p e r s o n s qualified, i n c l u d i n g t h e J u d i c i a l Service,
b y t h e G o v e r n o r i n c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e Chief J u s t i c e ; b u t t h o s e
w h o a d v o c a t e d a p p o i n t m e n t b y t h e G o v e r n o r in t h e c a s e of p e r m a n e n t
i n c u m b e n t s t h o u g h t t h a t t h e s e a c t i n g a p p o i n t m e n t s also s h o u l d b e
m a d e o n t h e a d v i c e of M i n i s t e r s .
4 8 . Tenure
of Appointments.—The
g e n e r a l o p i n i o n of t h e C o m ­
m i t t e e w a s , t h a t t h e J u d g e s s h o u l d h o l d office d u r i n g g o o d b e h a v i o u r ,
b u t s o m e d i f f e r e n c e of o p i n i o n e x i s t e d a s t o h o w r e m o v a l , i n t h e r a r e
e v e n t of m i s b e h a v i o u r o r i n c a p a c i t y , s h o u l d b e effected.
S o m e of
t h e C o m m i t t e e w e r e s t r o n g l y i n f a v o u r of r e m o v a l o n p r e s e n t a t i o n
of a n A d d r e s s t o t h e G o v e r n o r b y b o t h H o u s e s of t h e L e g i s l a t u r e ;
others deprecated the Legislature being involved in a n y w a y with
the J u d i c i a r y ; t h e suggestion w a s m a d e — b u t m e t with little sup­
p o r t — t h a t i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h w h a t is u n d e r s t o o d t o b e t h e r u l e
in t h e Crown Colonies, no J u d g e should b e removed, except o n t h e
r e p o r t of t h e J u d i c i a l C o m m i t t e e of t h e P r i v y C o u n c i l , t h e h i g h e s t
appellate b o d y in t h e E m p i r e .
4 9 . Age of Retirement.—On
t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e a g e f o r r e t i r e m e n t ,
i t w a s g e n e r a l l y a g r e e d t h a t i t s h o u l d b e i n t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d of
6 0 o r 6 5 . T o m a n y t h e c l i m a t e of R a n g o o n i s s u f f i c i e n t l y t r y i n g
to m a k e 60 a suitable retiring age ; b u t t h e Committee s a w objection
to giving an age limit which m i g h t prematurely deprive the Court
of t h e s e r v i c e s of a b l e J u d g e s ; s o m e f l e x i b i l i t y b e t w e e n t h e s e l i m i t s
was advocated.
I n t h i s c o n n e c t i o n m e n t i o n s h o u l d b e m a d e of
the opinion expressed t h a t a p p o i n t m e n t s to t h e Bench should be
r e s t r i c t e d t o m e n of 4 0 y e a r s of a g e o r m o r e .
5 0 . Salaries
of Judges.—The
s a l a r i e s of t h e J u d g e s s h o u l d , i n t h e
u n a n i m o u s v i e w of t h e C o m m i t t e e , b e e x c l u d e d f r o m t h e v o t e of
t h e L e g i s l a t u r e ; f o r p r e s e n t i n c u m b e n t s , t h e e x i s t i n g r a t e s of
s a l a r y s h o u l d b e m a i n t a i n e d , b u t in r e g a r d t o t h e a p p o i n t m e n t s
m a d e s u b s e q u e n t l y t o t h e i n s t i t u t i o n of t h e n e w C o n s t i t u t i o n , t h e
opinion was expressed b y some Delegates, t h a t Judicial salaries
m i g h t b e fixed b y t h e n e w L e g i s l a t u r e .
The Services.
(I) Existing
Members
of the
Services.
5 1 . Maintenance
of Rights
and Safeguards.—Inasmuch
as the
G o v e r n m e n t of I n d i a A c t a n d t h e r u l e s m a d e t h e r e u n d e r b y t h e
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e i n C o u n c i l g u a r a n t e e c e r t a i n r i g h t s a n d s a f e g u a r d s
t o m e m b e r s of t h e S e r v i c e s , t h e C o m m i t t e e w a s u n a n i m o u s l y in
accord w i t h t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s m a d e in this respect in t h e R e p o r t
of t h e S e r v i c e s s u b - C o m m i t t e e of t h e I n d i a n R o u n d T a b l e C o n ­
ference, a n d agreed t h a t d u e provision should b e m a d e in t h e new
c o n s t i t u t i o n for t h e m a i n t e n a n c e of t h o s e r i g h t s a n d s a f e g u a r d s for
all p e r s o n s w h o h a v e b e e n a p p o i n t e d before t h e n e w c o n s t i t u t i o n
c o m e s i n t o force. W h e n t h e n e w c o n s t i t u t i o n is d r a w n u p , suitable
s a f e g u a r d s for t h e p a y m e n t of p e n s i o n s ( i n c l u d i n g f a m i l y p e n s i o n s
a n d p r o v i d e n t funds), s h o u l d no d o u b t b e p r o v i d e d .
5 2 . Retirement
on Proportionate
Pension.—It
was further unani­
m o u s l y a g r e e d t h a t t h e r i g h t of r e t i r e m e n t o n p r o p o r t i o n a t e p e n s i o n
s h o u l d be e x t e n d e d , b u t opinion w a s divided as t o w h e t h e r t h e
e x t e n s i o n s h o u l d b e f o r a p e r i o d of five y e a r s o n l y o r for a l o n g e r o r
an unlimited period.
5 3 . Officers transferred
from
India.—The
C o m m i t t e e recognised
t h a t t h e t r a n s f e r of e x i s t i n g m e m b e r s of t h e S e r v i c e s f r o m s e r v i c e
u n d e r G o v e r n m e n t in I n d i a to service u n d e r t h e n e w G o v e r n m e n t
of B u r m a m i g h t r a i s e q u e s t i o n s i n r e g a r d t o t h e i r c o n d i t i o n s of
s e r v i c e t h a t m i g h t n o t b e p r e c i s e l y c o v e r e d b y a n y of t h e f o r e g o i n g
p r o v i s i o n s . If a n y s u c h q u e s t i o n s a r o s e , t h e C o m m i t t e e h o p e d t h a t
t h e y w o u l d b e d e a l t w i t h i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e g e n e r a l i n t e n t i o n of
those provisions, n a m e l y , t h a t all necessary steps s h o u l d be t a k e n
t o r e a s s u r e e x i s t i n g m e m b e r s of t h e S e r v i c e s a n d m a i n t a i n t h e i r
e x i s t i n g t e r m s of s e r v i c e , s o t h a t t h e y m i g h t s e r v e w i t h l o y a l t y a n d
efficiency f o r t h e i r n o r m a l t e r m .
The Committee were gravely
i m p r e s s e d w i t h t h e i m p o r t a n c e i n t h e i n t e r e s t s of B u r m a of m a k i n g
full p r o v i s i o n t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e n e w C o n s t i t u t i o n s h o u l d n o t b e
h a n d i c a p p e d i n t h e i n i t i a l s t a g e s b y a n y d i m i n u t i o n i n t h e efficiency
of t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e m a c h i n e o r e m b a r r a s s e d b y t h e e c o n o m i c w a s t e
a n d t h e difficulties w h i c h a c h a n g e of staff o n a l a r g e s c a l e w o u l d e n t a i l .
( I I ) Public
Services
Commission.
54. I n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e v i e w t a k e n b y t h e S t a t u t o r y Corn­
m i s s i o n a s t o t h e g e n e r a l n e e d for P u b l i c S e r v i c e s C o m m i s s i o n s t o
p r o t e c t t h e Services from political influences, it w a s u n a n i m o u s l y
agreed t h a t a P u b l i c Services Commission should be established
in B u r m a .
5 5 . Size.—With
r e g a r d t o t h e s i z e of t h e C o m m i s s i o n , t h e C o m ­
m i t t e e w a s g e n e r a l l y of t h e o p i n i o n t h a t t h r e e m e m b e r s , i n c l u d i n g
t h e C h a i r m a n , s h o u l d suffice. T h e s u g g e s t i o n w a s m a d e b u t d i d
n o t receive support t h a t t h e Commission should b e so composed as
t o i n c l u d e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of m i n o r i t y i n t e r e s t s .
5 6 . Method
of Appointment.—As
t o a p p o i n t m e n t , all m e m b e r s o f
the Committee agreed that the appointing authority should b e the
Governor, b u t opinion was divided a s to whether the Governor in
m a k i n g a n a p p o i n t m e n t s h o u l d (i) a c t a l o n e or (ii) a c t o n t h e a d v i c e
of t h e M i n i s t e r s b u t w i t h d i s c r e t i o n t o d i s r e g a r d t h a t a d v i c e o r
(iii) b e o b l i g e d t o a c t o n t h e a d v i c e t e n d e r e d t o h i m b y t h e M i n i s t e r s .
T h e o p i n i o n w a s e x p r e s s e d t h a t M e m b e r s of t h e P u b l i c S e r v i c e s
C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d h o l d office " d u r i n g p l e a s u r e " a n d b e r e m o v a b l e
b y the Governor only. Some, however, pressed the view that action
b y t h e G o v e r n o r s h o u l d o n l y b e o n t h e a d v i c e of h i s M i n i s t e r s .
It
w a s suggested that they should, after ceasing to be members, b e
i n e l i g i b l e , for a p e r i o d t o b e f i x e d b y t h e G o v e r n o r , for further office
under the Crown in Burma.
5 7 . Ftmctions.—As
regards functions, there w a s general agree­
m e n t that t h e Commission should be responsible, under the direction
of t h e G o v e r n m e n t , f o r t h e r e c r u i t m e n t o f t h e p u b l i c s e r v i c e s ; a n d
t h a t i t s h o u l d b e t h e d u t y of t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o r e c o m m e n d f o r
a p p o i n t m e n t the b e s t c a n d i d a t e s a v a i l a b l e w i t h o u t distinction of
race, class or creed. T h e Governor, o r t h e G o v e r n m e n t , as t h e case
might be, should h a v e discretion to consult the Commission before
p a s s i n g orders o n disciplinary q u e s t i o n s affecting m e m b e r s of t h e
Services.
( I l l ) Recruitment
of the Services
(other than
the Medical
Service).
5 8 . Maintenance
of Efficiency.—It
was generally agreed that it
w a s essential t h a t t h e efficiency of t h e Services s h o u l d b e m a i n t a i n e d
a n d t h a t it w a s of p a r t i c u l a r i m p o r t a n c e t h a t m e n of t h e r e q u i r e d
t y p e s h o u l d b e e n c o u r a g e d t o enter t h e Security Services, i.e., t h e
I n d i a n Civil Service a n d t h e Indian Police Service as n o w t e r m e d .
5 9 . European
Officers
and Method
of Recruitment.—It
w a s also
g e n e r a l l y a g r e e d t h a t i n t h e c a s e of t h e S e c u r i t y S e r v i c e s a t a n y r a t e ,
i t w o u l d b e e s s e n t i a l for s o m e t i m e t o c o m e t h a t E u r o p e a n officers
s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t o b e r e c r u i t e d for s e r v i c e in B u r m a .
But opinion
w a s d i v i d e d a s t o w h e t h e r , if E u r o p e a n s o f t h e r e q u i r e d t y p e w e r e
t o b e o b t a i n e d for these Services, it w o u l d b e necessary t h a t t h e
r e c r u i t i n g a u t h o r i t y s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t o b e t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e .
S o m e of t h e C o m m i t t e e w e r e c o n v i n c e d of t h i s n e c e s s i t y , a s t h e o n l y
m e a n s of a f f o r d i n g s u c h r e c r u i t s t h e a s s u r a n c e a s t o t h e i r p o s i t i o n
necessary to attract t h e best m e n ; others were equally convinced
t h a t t h e s e c u r i t y r e s u l t i n g f r o m t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a P u b l i c
S e r v i c e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d e n a b l e t h e G o v e r n m e n t of B u r m a t o
o b t a i n E u r o p e a n r e c r u i t s of a s u i t a b l e t y p e ; s o m e o t h e r s c o n s i d e r e d
t h a t i t s h o u l d b e left t o t h e n e w G o v e r n m e n t of B u r m a t o d e c i d e
w h o t h e recruiting authority should be ; while y e t other Delegates
w i s h e d t o f o l l o w t h e m a j o r i t y v i e w i n t h e R e p o r t of t h e S e r v i c e s
s u b - C o m m i t t e e of t h e I n d i a n R o u n d T a b l e C o n f e r e n c e a n d t o l a y i t
d o w n at the outset that the recruiting authority should be the new
G o v e r n m e n t of B u r m a .
A s r e g a r d s t h e I r r i g a t i o n B r a n c h o f t h e I n d i a n S e r v i c e of
E n g i n e e r s o p i n i o n , w h i l e n o t u n a n i m o u s , w a s g e n e r a l l y in f a v o u r
of t h e t r a n s f e r of a p p o i n t m e n t f r o m t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e t o t h e
n e w G o v e r n m e n t of B u r m a , t h e P u b l i c S e r v i c e s C o m m i s s i o n m a k i n g
t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s for r e c r u i t m e n t .
6 0 . Burmanisation.—The
q u e s t i o n of t h e r a t e of " B u r m a n i s a ­
tion " w a s briefly discussed b y t h e C o m m i t t e e , a n d s u c h opinion
as w a s expressed was divided on this question.
S o m e of the
C o m m i t t e e w e r e of o p i n i o n t h a t t h e r a t e s h o u l d b e l e f t f o r t h e n e w
G o v e r n m e n t of B u r m a t o d e c i d e , w h i l e o t h e r s t o o k t h e v i e w t h a t
for t h e p r e s e n t r e c r u i t m e n t m i g h t c o n t i n u e i n t h e p r o p o r t i o n s
laid d o w n b y the Lee Commission.
(IV)
The
Medical
Services.
6 1 . T h e C o m m i t t e e w a s g e n e r a l l y i n f a v o u r , i n t h e i n t e r e s t s of
e c o n o m y a n d efficiency, of a c o m b i n a t i o n of t h e c i v i l a n d m i l i t a r y
s i d e s o f t h e M e d i c a l S e r v i c e s . I t w a s f e l t t h a t t h e c a d r e s of s e p a r a t e
s e r v i c e s w o u l d b e t o o s m a l l t o offer a d e q u a t e p r o s p e c t s t o s u i t a b l e
c a n d i d a t e s . A n a d e q u a t e n u m b e r of E u r o p e a n s s h o u l d b e r e c r u i t e d
for t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s of t h e A r m y a n d o f B r i t i s h officials a n d t h e i r
f a m i l i e s . A sufficient n u m b e r of t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e S e r v i c e s h o u l d
be required b y the terms of their e n g a g e m e n t t o undergo such
military training a n d render such military service as t h e y m a y be
c a l l e d u p o n t o d o . T h e r i g h t s a n d s a f e g u a r d s of officers o f t h e I n d i a n
Medical Service serving in B u r m a at t h e date w h e n t h e n e w Con­
s t i t u t i o n c a m e i n t o force w o u l d b e p r e s e r v e d , i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of the C o m m i t t e e t h a t the r i g h t s a n d s a f e g u a r d s
of e x i s t i n g m e m b e r s of t h e S e r v i c e s g e n e r a l l y s h o u l d b e p r e s e r v e d .
(V) Loan
of Officers from
the Governments
in
India.
62. The C o m m i t t e e h o p e d that, on t h e analogy of w h a t w a s said
i n t h e c o n c l u d i n g s u b - s e c t i o n o f p a r a . 3 o f t h e R e p o r t of t h e S e r v i c e s
s u b - C o m m i t t e e of the I n d i a n R o u n d T a b l e Conference, d a t e d
1 3 t h J a n u a r y , 1 9 3 1 (Cmd. 3 7 7 2 , p a g e 6 6 ) , i t w o u l d b e f o u n d p o s s i b l e
i n s u i t a b l e c a s e s t o m a k e a r r a n g e m e n t s b e t w e e n t h e G o v e r n m e n t of
B u r m a a n d t h e G o v e r n m e n t s in I n d i a f o r t h e l o a n of officers.
The
C o m m i t t e e h a d particularly in m i n d the scientific services m e n t i o n e d
i n p a r a . 5 of t h e B u r m a s u b - C o m m i t t e e ' s R e p o r t , as w e l l a s t h e
c o n v e n i e n c e of o b t a i n i n g i n t h i s w a y e x p e r t a d v i c e i n i r r i g a t i o n a n d
r a i l w a y p r o b l e m s . B u r m a , o n its part, m i g h t reciprocate w i t h the
l o a n o f officers e s p e c i a l l y q u a l i f i e d t o a d v i s e o n s u c h m a t t e r s a s
forestry development.
Excluded Areas.
(Other
than
the Shan
States
Federation.)
63. T h e S t a t u t o r y C o m m i s s i o n r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t t h e a r e a s in
B u r m a n o w k n o w n a s ' ' B a c k w a r d T r a c t s '' s h o u l d i n f u t u r e b e t e r m e d
" Excluded Areas."
( F o r t h e p u r p o s e s of t h e G o v e r n m e n t of I n d i a
Act these areas include the Federated Shan States ; b u t attention
h a s b e e n d i r e c t e d s e p a r a t e l y b y t h e C o m m i t t e e t o t h e i r case.)
64. This t e r m " E x c l u d e d A r e a s " w a s i n t e n d e d b y t h e S t a t u t o r y
C o m m i s s i o n t o m e a n t r a c t s " which m u s t be e x c l u d e d from t h e
g e n e r a l c o n s t i t u t i o n a l a r r a n g e m e n t s , " * a n d for t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of
w h i c h s p e c i a l p r o v i s i o n m u s t b e m a d e ; a n d i n p u r s u a n c e of t h i s
i n t e n t i o n s e v e r a l m e m b e r s of t h e C o m m i t t e e u r g e d t h a t t h e a d m i n i s ­
t r a t i o n of t h e s e a r e a s , t h e i n h a b i t a n t s of w h i c h , t h o u g h a k i n t o t h e
B u r m a n s , a r e a d m i t t e d l y b a c k w a r d , a n d n o t y e t fitted f o r a s h a r e i n
representative democratic government, m i g h t well b e entrusted t o
t h e Governor (and t h u s form a " reserved subject " ) . T h e view w a s
expressed t h a t , i n s u c h e v e n t , it w o u l d b e a d v a n t a g e o u s t h a t the
Legislature s h o u l d h a v e o p p o r t u n i t y from t i m e t o t i m e to discuss
t h e s u b j e c t a t t h e d i s c r e t i o n of t h e G o v e r n o r .
65. Several Delegates, on the other h a n d , strongly deprecated the
p r o p o s a l t h a t t h e s e a r e a s s h o u l d b e r e m o v e d f r o m t h e p u r v i e w of
t h e Legislature, a n d argued t h a t it would p r o m o t e advancement from
t h e i r b a c k w a r d c o n d i t i o n if t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r a d m i n i s t e r i n g a n d
developing t h e m were placed u p o n a Minister.
Some doubt was
expressed whether this " Minister " should a t t h e outset be responsible
to the Governor or to the Legislature ; b u t the intention was t h a t
eventually t h e Minister in charge should be responsible to t h e
Legislature.
Defence.
6 6 . S o m e D e l e g a t e s w e r e of o p i n i o n t h a t t h e c o n t r o l of t h e A r m y ,
including British t r o o p s , in B u r m a should at o n c e b e h a n d e d o v e r
t o a B u r m a n Minister responsible t o t h e Legislature. B u t the
C o m m i t t e e a d d r e s s e d i t s e l f t o t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n of D e f e n c e o n t h e
understanding that, applying to Burma, the principle underlying
t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r s s t a t e m e n t of p o l i c y i n r e g a r d t o I n d i a , t h e
s u b j e c t is o n e t h a t i n e x i s t i n g c o n d i t i o n s m u s t b e r e s e r v e d for
administration b y the Governor.
6 7 . . The Requirements
of Burma.—The
geographical circumstances
of B u r m a a r e s u c h t h a t a r m e d a g g r e s s i o n b y l a n d o n a l a r g e s c a l e is­
n o t a v e r y p r o b a b l e d a n g e r , a n d it was generally agreed t h a t t h o u g h
t h e r e is n e e d t o g u a r d a g a i n s t r a i d s o n t h e f r o n t i e r , t h e a r m e d f o r c e s
r e q u i r e d for f r o n t i e r d e f e n c e a r e n o t l a r g e . T h e C o n f e r e n c e i s , o f
course, not in a position to formulate a n y opinion as to the strength
* Vol. I I , p a r a . 128.
of t h e A r m y r e q u i r e d i n B u r m a a f t e r s e p a r a t i o n , e i t h e r for e x t e r n a l
o r i n t e r n a l d e f e n c e ; b u t t h e h o p e w a s e x p r e s s e d t h a t it n e e d n o t
e x c e e d t h e forces h i t h e r t o m a i n t a i n e d in t h e c o u n t r y in n o r m a l
conditions.
I t is n o t c o n t e m p l a t e d t h a t B u r m a -should u n d e r t a k e
h e r o w n N a v a l defence ; for t h a t s h e m u s t for t h e p r e s e n t r e l y o n t h e
British N a v y .
6 S . Control of Arrangements
and Influence
of Public
Opinion
on
Defence matters.—Though
i t w a s g e n e r a l l y a g r e e d t h a t c o n t r o l of t h e
a d m i n i s t r a t i v e s i d e of D e f e n c e s h o u l d b e e n t r u s t e d t o t h e G o v e r n o r
for t h e p r e s e n t , a n d t h o u g h s o m e D e l e g a t e s a d m i t t e d t h a t a B u r m a n
Ministry w o u l d n o t be in a position t o u n d e r t a k e this responsibility
a t o n c e ( o n e D e l e g a t e s u g g e s t e d t h a t r e s e r v a t i o n of t h e s u b j e c t s h o u l d
b e l i m i t e d t o five y e a r s ) , a d e s i r e w a s e x p r e s s e d b y s e v e r a l D e l e g a t e s
for o p p o r t u n i t y f o r t h e L e g i s l a t u r e t o d i s c u s s a n d e x e r t s o m e i n f l u ­
e n c e o v e r c e r t a i n a s p e c t s of A r m y p o l i c y , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h a t of
" Burmanisation."
It was recognised t h a t t i m e m u s t elapse before
indigenous forces could be recruited a n d t r a i n e d ;
b u t several
D e l e g a t e s e x p r e s s e d t h e opinion t h a t r e c r u i t s for such forces w o u l d
r e a d i l y b e f o r t h c o m i n g , a n d s o m e w e r e of o p i n i o n t h a t c o n s c r i p t i o n
could be enacted b y a popularly elected Legislature. A suggestion
w a s m a d e t h a t t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of D e f e n c e s h o u l d b e e n t r u s t e d t o
a " Minister " w h o might be responsible to the Governor—to w h o m
t h e w h o l e c o n t r o l a n d d i s p o s i t i o n of t h e t r o o p s w o u l d b e e n t r u s t e d —
for t e c h n i c a l a n d s t r a t e g i c a l m a t t e r s , a n d r e s p o n s i b l e t o t h e L e g i s ­
lat ure for policy in r e g a r d t o r e c r u i t m e n t a n d B u r m a n i s a t i o n a n d
m a t t e r s less directly affecting o p e r a t i o n s .
This suggestion m e t with considerable criticism. The view was
w i d e l y e x p r e s s e d t h a t d i v i s i o n of a s u b j e c t , a l l b r a n c h e s of w h i c h
a r e s o c l o s e l y c o n n e c t e d a s i n A r m y a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , is n o t p r a c t i c a b l e .
I t w a s p o i n t e d o u t t h a t u n i t y of c o n t r o l is e s s e n t i a l , a n d t h a t s o l o n g
a s t h e r e a r e m a i n t a i n e d in B u r m a forces s u c h a s British t r o o p s for
w h i c h P a r l i a m e n t is r e s p o n s i b l e , c o n t r o l m u s t b e v e s t e d i n t h e
Governor who owes responsibility to His Majesty's Government a n d
Parliament.
6 9 . Discussion
of Defence matters in Legislature.—On
the question
of t h e m e d i u m b y w h i c h t h e G o v e r n o r m i g h t m a i n t a i n c o n t a c t
with the Legislature in regard t o Defence m a t t e r s a n d explain his
p o l i c y a n d r e q u i r e m e n t s , t h e r e w a s s o m e d i v e r g e n c e of v i e w .
Some
of t h e D e l e g a t e s t h o u g h t i t w o u l d b e o b j e c t i o n a b l e a n d i n c o n s i s t e n t
w i t h t h e t h e o r y of j o i n t r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of t h e M i n i s t r y t h a t t h e
m e d i u m s h o u l d b e a " M i n i s t e r " — p a r t i c u l a r l y if h e w e r e a n official
-—responsible t o t h e G o v e r n o r a n d n o t t o t h e Legislature. I t w a s
suggested t h a t a procedure might be a d o p t e d similar to t h a t practised
in t h e I n d i a n L e g i s l a t u r e b y w h i c h , w h e n o p p o r t u n i t y is afforded for
d i s c u s s i o n of A r m y a f f a i r s , t h e S e c r e t a r y t o t h e G o v e r n m e n t i n t h e
A r m y D e p a r t m e n t or, o n occasion, t h e C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f a d d r e s s e s
one or o t h e r House ; a n d the suggestion was p u t forward, which
r e c e i v e d c o n s i d e r a b l e s u p p o r t , t h a t a C o m m i t t e e of t h e L e g i s l a t u r e
might be established to which information on military matters
m i g h t be i m p a r t e d , a n d t h r o u g h which the Legislature m i g h t gain
f a m i l i a r i t y w i t h p r o b l e m s of m i l i t a r y a d m i n i s t r a t i o n a n d a c q u i r e
t h e k n o w l e d g e r e q u i s i t e b e f o r e t r a n s f e r of r e s p o n s i b i l i t y c o u l d b e
practicable.
7 0 . Expenditure
on the Defence of Burma.—The
view was expressed
t h a t l a c k of c o n t r o l o f D e f e n c e b y t h e L e g i s l a t u r e w a s i n c o n s i s t e n t
w i t h l i a b i l i t y for t h e c o r ^ t ; b u t i t w a s g e n e r a l l y a g r e e d t h a t , w h e r e v e r
c o n t r o l l a y in e x i s t i n g c o n d i t i o n s , B u r m a m u s t p a y for h e r m i l i t a r y
forces, a n d t h a t the necessary s u p p l y s h o u l d n o t be subject t o the
v o t e of t h e L e g i s l a t u r e . T h e s y s t e m of a f i x e d B u d g e t g r a n t f o r a
t e r m of y e a r s w a s m e n t i o n e d a s p o s s i b l y a c o n v e n i e n t a r r a n g e m e n t ,
t h o u g h i t m i g h t b e n e c e s s a r y i n c a s e s of e m e r g e n c y t o e x c e e d s u c h
grant.
7 1 . Building
up of Indigenous
Forces.—As
was recognised b y the
I n d i a n C o n f e r e n c e i n r e s p e c t o f I n d i a , d e f e n c e q u e s t i o n s m u s t b e of
i n c r e a s i n g c o n c e r n t o t h e p e o p l e of a s e l f - g o v e r n i n g c o u n t r y ; a n d
t h e g e n e r a l f e e l i n g o f t h e C o m m i t t e e w a s i n f a v o u r , n o t o n l y of t h e
d e v e l o p m e n t of i n d i g e n o u s f o r c e s , b u t a l s o of t h e p r o v i s i o n of m e a n s
b y w h i c h t h e L e g i s l a t u r e of B u r m a m i g h t b e k e p t a c q u a i n t e d w i t h
A r m y m a t t e r s d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d in w h i c h , as w a s g e n e r a l l y recognised
t o b e necessary, t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for D e f e n c e r e m a i n s v e s t e d in t h e
Governor as answerable t o Parliament.
The Ministers.
7 2 . The Council of Ministers,
its Appointment
and
Composition.—
T h e ideal in c o n t e m p l a t i o n b e i n g responsible g o v e r n m e n t b y a
Ministry responsible to t h e Legislature a n d , t h r o u g h it, t o t h e
e l e c t o r a t e , f o r t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , i n e x i s t i n g c i r c u m s t a n c e s , of
m o s t , a n d e v e n t u a l l y , of a l l b r a n c h e s of g o v e r n m e n t , t h e C o m m i t t e e
held, without a n y dissentient opinion, t h a t t h e Ministry should
normally be appointed on the usual constitutional method by the
G o v e r n o r i n c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e l e a d e r of t h e p a r t y c o m m a n d i n g
t h e l a r g e s t following in t h e L o w e r H o u s e , a s s u m i n g t h a t h e w a s
willing t o u n d e r t a k e to form a Government.
This p a r t y leader
( w h o a f t e r t h e f o r m a t i o n of t h e G o v e r n m e n t w o u l d b e d e s c r i b e d a s
Chief Minister, o r p e r h a p s preferably, a s P r i m e Minister) n e e d n o t
b e c o n f i n e d i n h i s c h o i c e of M i n i s t e r s t o t h e L o w e r H o u s e , a n d , i n
t h e g e n e r a l v i e w of t h e C o m m i t t e e , i t w o u l d h e d e s i r a b l e t h a t o n e
of t h e r e s p o n s i b l e M i n i s t e r s a t l e a s t s h o u l d b e a m e m b e r of t h e
U p p e r House. Several Delegates, however, despite t h e objections
t o l a y i n g d o w n a n y r e s t r i c t i o n o n t h e Chief M i n i s t e r ' s field of c h o i c e
a n d t o specifying a n y p a r t i c u l a r class in t h e L e g i s l a t u r e as ineligible
for ministerial a p p o i n t m e n t , t h o u g h t t h a t in present circumstances
n o m i n a t e d m e m b e r s of t h e U p p e r H o u s e (if n o m i n a t i o n w e r e p r e ­
s c r i b e d in t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n ) s h o u l d n o t b e eligible for selection.
73. The Number
of Ministers.—On
t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e n u m b e r of
Ministers under t h e n e w Constitution, the C o m m i t t e e w a s n o t in a
p o s i t i o n t o m a k e a definite r e c o m m e n d a t i o n , b u t c o m p a r i n g t h e
v o l u m e of a d m i n i s t r a t i v e w o r k l i k e l y t o d e v o l v e o n t h e M i n i s t r y
with t h a t hitherto borne b y two Ministers and t w o E x e c u t i v e
Councillors, it inclined t o t h e v i e w t h a t six t o eight w o u l d b e s u i t a b l e
a n d t h a t it w o u l d b e w e U t o p r e s c r i b e e i g h t a s a m a x i m u m .
This
m a x i m u m , it w a s suggested, m i g h t b e laid d o w n in rules a t t a c h e d
to the Constitution Act, as not to b e exceeded without the approval
of t h e G o v e r n o r .
7 4 . Joint
Responsibility.—The
Committee had no hesitation in
adopting the v i e w t h a t the Ministry should be collectively responsible
t o t h e Legislature, a n d t h o u g h s o m e w o u l d h a v e preferred t h a t , as
in m o s t constitutions, this principle s h o u l d b e established b y practice
and convention, a greater n u m b e r considered that the collective
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of t h e M i n i s t r y s h o u l d b e - d e f i n i t e l y s t a t e d in t h e
Constituent A c t .
7 5 . Circumstances
in which the Ministry
should relinquish
Office.—
T h e Corrrrnittee c o n s i d e r e d t h e q u e s t i o n w h e t h e r , h a v i n g r e g a r d t o
t h e p r i n c i p l e of j o i n t r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , i t is p o s s i b l e t o d e f i n e i n w h a t
c i r c u m s t a n c e s a d e f e a t s h o u l d l e a d t o t h e r e s i g n a t i o n (or d i s m i s s a l )
of t h e M i n i s t r y . S e v e r a l t h o u g h t t h a t w h e n t h e M i n i s t r y o f t h e d a y
w a s d e f e a t e d o n an i m p o r t a n t G o v e r n m e n t Bill, it s h o u l d resign
f o r t h w i t h ; others considered t h a t it should be a t liberty t o decide
w h e t h e r t h e m e a s u r e l o s t w a s in f a c t of s u c h i m p o r t a n c e t o t h e
G o v e r n m e n t s p r o g r a m m e , a n d t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s of t h e d e f e a t
s u c h as to i n d i c a t e the forfeiture of t h e confidence of t h e H o u s e ;
others a g a i n w e r e of opinion t h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d n o t b e
f o r c e d t o r e s i g n s a v e o n a d i r e c t v o t e of n o - c o n f i d e n c e , w h i c h i n
t h e v i e w of a m i n o r i t y s h o u l d n o t b e e f f e c t i v e s a v e b y a p r e s c r i b e d
m i n i m u m m a j o r i t y o f v o t e s . F e w of t h e C o m m i t t e e s u p p o r t e d t h i s
l a s t s u g g e s t i o n w h i c h , if a d o p t e d , w o u l d i n t h e o r y e n a b l e a M i n i s t r y
t o c l i n g t o office t h o u g h u n a b l e t o c o m m a n d a m a j o r i t y i n t h e H o u s e
t o s u p p o r t i t s m e a s u r e s ; t h e m a j o r i t y of t h e D e l e g a t e s t o o k t h e
view t h a t it w a s unwise to p u t into a Constituent A c t a direction
w h i c h t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s of t h e c a s e m i g h t m a k e i t i m p o s s i b l e t o
follow.
All, h o w e v e r , a g r e e d t h a t , i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e p r i n c i p l e
of j o i n t r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , a n a d v e r s e v o t e m u s t be h e l d t o a f f e c t t h e
whole Ministry and not an individual Minister only.
7 6 . Position
of the Governor.—The
C o m m i t t e e w a s of o p i n i o n t h a t
w h i l e t h e Chief (or P r i m e ) M i n i s t e r w o u l d o r d i n a r i l y p r e s i d e o v e r
t h e C a b i n e t (or C o u n c i l of M i n i s t e r s ) t h e G o v e r n o r s h o u l d h a v e f u l l
discretion t o s u m m o n his Ministers a n d preside at such m e e t i n g s .
T h e y were agreed, also, that the Governor should b e fully apprised
of t h e p o l i c y o f h i s M i n i s t e r s a n d b e k e p t i n f o r m e d of d e c i s i o n s
t a k e n a t m e e t i n g s a t w h i c h h e is n o t p r e s e n t i n p e r s o n . T h e v i e w
w a s t a k e n t h a t w h i l e full i n f o r m a t i o n as t o t h e M i n i s t e r s ' a c t i o n s
w o u l d b e e s s e n t i a l to t h e G o v e r n o r t o e n a b l e h i m t o d i s c h a r g e h i s
d u t i e s a n d s p e c i a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , i t w o u l d b e of n o l e s s a d v a n t a g e
t o t h e Ministers t h a t h e should preside, a t his discretion, at Cabinet
meetings.
T h i s w o u l d also afford o p p o r t u n i t y t o k e e p t h e m in
t o u c h w i t h s u b j e c t s r e s e r v e d for his a d m i n i s t r a t i o n .
7 7 . Administration
of Reserved
Subjects.—The
question w a s also
raised w h e t h e r t h e Ministry or Cabinet should contain " Ministers "
responsible, n o t t o t h e Legislature, b u t solely to t h e G o v e r n o r , in
r e s p e c t of s u b j e c t s r e s e r v e d f o r h i s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n : s o m e D e l e g a t e s
held, a n d others strongly opposed, t h e opinion t h a t t h e Governor
s h o u l d h a v e d i s c r e t i o n t o a p p o i n t officials o r n o n - o f f i c i a l s a s
" M i n i s t e r s " i n c h a r g e of s u b j e c t s a d m i n i s t e r e d b y h i m , w h o s h o u l d
s t a n d o r fall w i t h t h e M i n i s t r y a s a w h o l e , t h u s p r e s e r v i n g t h e
a p p e a r a n c e of j o i n t r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , t h o u g h t h e y w o u l d in f a c t b e
responsible to the Governor, a n d not t o t h e Legislature, and should
b e eligible for r e a p p o i n t m e n t b y t h e G o v e r n o r t o e v e r y s u c c e e d i n g
Ministry ; others took the view t h a t the Governor should not
a p p o i n t " M i n i s t e r s , " t o b e i n c l u d e d i n t h e M i n i s t r y , i n c h a r g e of
subjects a d m i n i s t e r e d b y himself, b u t should h a v e discretion to
b r i n g t o m e e t i n g s of t h e C a b i n e t t h e officials e n g a g e d i n t h e a d m i n i s ­
t r a t i o n of t h e s e s u b j e c t s , s o t h a t t h e M i n i s t e r s r e s p o n s i b l e t o t h e
L e g i s l a t u r e w o u l d b e e n a b l e d t o d i s c u s s m a t t e r s of c o m m o n c o n c e r n .
7 8 . Rules for Conduct
of Executive
Business.—In
regard t o rules
f o r t h e c o n d u c t of E x e c u t i v e b u s i n e s s , t h e s u g g e s t i o n w a s m a d e
t h a t t h e y should be f r a m e d b y t h e G o v e r n o r in c o n s u l t a t i o n with
his Ministers ; some Delegates viewed w i t h a n x i e t y a n y relaxation
of t h e G o v e r n o r s c o n t r o l of t h i s p o w e r , w h i c h a t p r e s e n t r e p o s e s
w i t h t h e G o v e r n o r - G e n e r a l o r t h e G o v e r n o r of a P r o v i n c e , a s t h e
case m a y be.
7 9 . Remuneration
of Ministers.—As
t o t h e s a l a r i e s of t h e M i n i s t e r s ,
s e v e r a l of t h e C o m m i t t e e felt t h a t u n d e r t h e n e w C o n s t i t u t i o n a
s c a l e of s a l a r i e s c o n s i d e r a b l y l o w e r t h a n t h o s e n o w d r a w n b y
M i n i s t e r s w o u l d b e a d e q u a t e ( t h e figures of R s . 2 , 0 0 0 p e r m e n s e m f o r
a M i n i s t e r , a n d p e r h a p s R s . 2 , 5 0 0 p e r m e n s e m for t h e C h i e f M i n i s t e r ,
have been suggested) ; and the opinion was held b y m a n y t h a t the
s a l a r i e s s h o u l d b e f i x e d , i n t h e first i n s t a n c e , i n r u l e s f r a m e d u n d e r
the Constituent Act, the Legislature t o b e empowered t o a m e n d the
rate thereafter, h a y i n g regard to t h e
financial
r e s o u r c e s of t h e
country. There was general agreement that whatever power might
b e g i v e n i n t h e n e w C o n s t i t u t i o n t o v a r y t h e s c a l e o f s a l a r i e s of
M i n i s t e r s , it s h o u l d n o t b e p e r m i s s i b l e t o m a k e a n y c h a n g e a f f e c t i n g
a d v e r s e l y a n y M i n i s t e r d u r i n g h i s t e n u r e of office. T h e s u g g e s t i o n
was m a d e b y more t h a n one Delegate t h a t , w h e r e a s ministerial
salaries m i g h t well b e reduced below their present level, it would
c o n s o r t w i t h t h e d i g n i t y of t h e M i n i s t e r s ' p o s i t i o n t h a t t h e y s h o u l d
b e p r o v i d e d w i t h official r e s i d e n c e s .
The Governors
Powers.
8 0 . Reserved Subjects and Safeguards.—It
w a s a g r e e d , e x c e p t by­
certain Delegates w h o were unwilling to accept a n y safeguards at t h e
p r e s e n t s t a g e , t h a t t h e t r a n s f e r of p o w e r t o M i n i s t e r s r e s p o n s i b l e t o
t h e Legislature m u s t be a c c o m p a n i e d b y safeguards necessary in t h e
i n t e r e s t of B u r m a u n t i l f u r t h e r e x p e r i e n c e h a d b e e n a c q u i r e d i n t h e
m a n a g e m e n t of t h e m a c h i n e r y of r e s p o n s i b l e g o v e r n m e n t .
In
general, the Committee accepted the principles enunciated in the
S e c o n d R e p o r t of t h e F e d e r a l S t r u c t u r e C o m m i t t e e of t h e I n d i a n
C o n f e r e n c e i n r e s p e c t of t h e o r d i n a r y a n d s p e c i a l p o w e r s of t h e
G o v e r n o r - G e n e r a l of I n d i a , a s s u i t a b l e t o b e a p p l i e d t o t h e c a s e of t h e
G o v e r n o r of a s e p a r a t e d B u r m a .
P a r a g r a p h s 16, 2 1 , a n d 2 2 w e r e
specifically cited as d i r e c t l y a p p l i c a b l e in s u b s t a n c e .
8 1 . Stibjects to be administered
by the Governor.—In
p a r t i c u l a r it
w a s p r o p o s e d t h a t t h e G o v e r n o r s h o u l d h i m s e l f b e r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of t h e f o l l o w i n g s u b j e c t s : D e f e n c e ;
External
Affairs, E x c l u d e d A r e a s (including t h e S h a n S t a t e s ) ; M o n e t a r y
Policy, Currency a n d Coinage ; Ceremonial, Titles a n d Honours ;
E c c l e s i a s t i c a l A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ; a n d Officials r e c r u i t e d b y t h e C r o w n
o r t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e o r b y t h e G o v e r n o r f o r s e r v i c e s a d m i n i s t e r e d
b y himself.
8 2 . The Governors
Power of Intervention
for particular
purposes.—I t was further proposed t h a t the Governor should h a v e the power t o
i n t e r v e n e i n t h e fields of l e g i s l a t i o n a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r t h e
p u r p o s e of s a f e g u a r d i n g t h e f o l l o w i n g m a t t e r s : — t h e p r o t e c t i o n of
m i n o r i t i e s ; t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n of B u r m a f r o m g r a v e i n t e r n a l p e r i l ;
t h e financial s t a b i l i t y a n d c r e d i t of B u r m a a n d f u l f i l m e n t of h e r d e b t
o b l i g a t i o n s ; t h e p r o t e c t i o n of I m p e r i a l i n t e r e s t s ; t h e r i g h t s a n d
p r i v i l e g e s g u a r a n t e e d t o officials ; a n d a n y m a t t e r s a f f e c t i n g t h e
r e s e r v e d s u b j e c t s e n u m e r a t e d a b o v e . I t w o u l d b e for t h e G o v e r n o r
t o d e c i d e w h e t h e r a n y p a r t i c u l a r i s s u e d i d o r d i d n o t fall w i t h i n e i t h e r
of t h e c a t e g o r i e s r e f e r r e d t o i n p a r a g r a p h s 8 1 a n d 8 2 . I n c e r t a i n
c a s e s t h e r e w o u l d b e a n o v e r l a p of M i n i s t e r s ' a n d G o v e r n o r s r e s p o n s i ­
b i l i t i e s a s is p o i n t e d o u t i n p a r a g r a p h 11 of t h e F o u r t h R e p o r t of t h e
F e d e r a l S t r u c t u r e C o m m i t t e e in r e g a r d t o t h e reaction on e x t e r n a l
r e l a t i o n s of c o m m e r c i a l , e c o n o m i c a n d o t h e i ^ i e l a t i o n o , w h i c h w o u l d
f a l l p r i m a r i l y w i t h i n t h e p u r v i e w of M i n i s t e r s a n d L e g i s l a t u r e ; t h e
G o v e r n o r w o u l d in t h i s case h a v e a special responsibility t o secure
t h a t t h e l a t t e r a r e s o h a n d l e d a s n o t t o conflict w i t h his r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
for t h e former.
8 3 . Emergency
Powers.—The
r e s e r v a t i o n in e x i s t i n g c o n d i t i o n s
t o t h e G o v e r n o r of p o w e r s o v e r t h e field c o v e r e d a b o v e w a s g e n e r a l l y
a g r e e d t o , a n d it w a s also a d m i t t e d t h a t h e m u s t b e g i v e n a d e q u a t e
p o w e r s t o enable h i m to c a r r y on g o v e r n m e n t in a n e m e r g e n c y a n d
t o t a k e o v e r t h e g o v e r n m e n t i n w h o l e o r i n p a r t in t h e u n h a p p y
e v e n t of a b r e a k d o w n of t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l m a c h i n e .
All a g r e e d
t h a t t h e s a f e g u a r d i n g a n d e m e r g e n c y p o w e r s of t h e G o v e r n o r , a s
o p p o s e d t o t h e p o w e r s i n t h e r e s e r v e d field, s h o u l d b e e m p l o y e d
a s r a r e l y a s p o s s i b l e , b o t h i n o r d e r t o d e m o n s t r a t e t h e r e a l i t y of t h e
t r a n s f e r of p o w e r t o t h e M i n i s t r y a n d t o d i s c o u r a g e M i n i s t e r s f r o m
r e l y i n g u p o n t h e G o v e r n o r s p o w e r s t o r e l i e v e t h e m of t h e b u r d e n
o f u n p o p u l a r d e c i s i o n s t h a t m i g h t b e d e m a n d e d i n t h e i n t e r e s t s of
the nation.
8 4 . An Alternative
Suggestion.—As
an alternative to the express
r e s e r v a t i o n of c e r t a i n s u b j e c t s , a s u g g e s t i o n w a s m a d e t h a t a l l s u b ­
j e c t s m i g h t b e p l a c e d u n d e r t h e c o n t r o l of r e s p o n s i b l e M i n i s t e r s , t h e
G o v e r n o r b e i n g g i v e n a p o w e r of s u p e r i n t e n d e n c e w h i c h h e w o u l d
e x e r c i s e t o a n u n l i m i t e d e x t e n t in t h e c a s e of s u b j e c t s c l a s s e d a b o v e
a s reserved, b u t o n l y r a r e l y for the p u r p o s e s m e n t i o n e d a b o v e in t h e
r e m a i n i n g field.
B y such means it w a s urged, Ministers would be
t r a i n e d i n t h e h a n d l i n g of r e s e r v e d s u b j e c t s , a n d a g r a d u a l f u r t h e r
t r a n s f e r e n c e of p o w e r c o u l d t a k e p l a c e w i t h i n t h e f r a m e w o r k of t h e
Constitution.
I n opposition to this proposal it was pointed o u t t h a t
u n d e r it Ministers w o u l d in fact be r e s p o n s i b l e b o t h t o t h e L e g i s l a t u r e
a n d t o t h e G o v e r n o r i n r e s p e c t of c e r t a i n s u b j e c t s , t h e r e b y p r o d u c i n g
a b l u r r e d responsibility a n d p e r p e t u a t i n g d y a r c h y in its w o r s t form.
T h e w h o l e o b j e c t of p l a c i n g c e r t a i n s u b j e c t s d i r e c t l y u n d e r t h e
G o v e r n o r s c o n t r o l w a s t o p r e s e r v e i n a l i m i t e d field h i s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
to Parliament direct and undivided.
T h e r e w o u l d b e n o difficulty
i n i n s t r u c t i n g t h e G o v e r n o r i n h i s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of t h e r e s e r v e d
subjects to maintain touch with his Ministers and the Legislature,
a n d through t h e m with public opinion.
8 5 . Fundamental
Safeguards
for Minorities.-!-^,
t h e c o u r s e of t h e
d i s c u s s i o n of t h e G o v e r n o r s d u t y t o s a f e g u a r d t h e i n t e r e s t s of
minorities the suggestion was made t h a t additional statutory pro­
t e c t i o n , for w h i c h t h e G o v e r n o r s h o u l d be m a d e r e s p o n s i b l e , s h o u l d
be afforded on t h e following lines :—
(1) P r o t e c t i o n of life a n d l a b o u r , i r r e s p e c t i v e of b i r t h , r a c e ,
language o r religion.
(2) F r e e e x e r c i s e of r e l i g i o n s o r b e l i e f s , t h e p r a c t i c e of w h i c h i s
not inconsistent with public order. .
(3) A l l i n h a b i t a n t s t o b e e q u a l b e f o r e t h e l a w , a n d t o e n j o y
the s a m e civil a n d political rights, as, for i n s t a n c e , admission t o
p u b l i c e m p l o y m e n t , f u n c t i o n s o f o w n e r s h i p , e x e r c i s e of p r o ­
f e s s i o n s , o w n e r s h i p of l a n d a n d p r o p e r t y , p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n
i n d u s t r i a l a n d c o m m e r c i a l u n d e r t a k i n g s , i r r e s p e c t i v e of r a c e ,
language o r religion.
(4) N o p e r s o n t o b e u n d e r d i s a b i l i t y f o r a d m i s s i o n i n t o a n y
b r a n c h of t h e p u b l i c s e r v i c e s m e r e l y b y r e a s o n of r a c e , l a n g u a g e
or religion.
(5) N o l a w s , r u l e s o r o r d e r s , i n t e n d e d t o d i s c r i m i n a t e a g a i n s t
minorities to be passed b y Government, Legislatures, Corpora­
t i o n s , M u n i c i p a l i t i e s , l o c a l s e l f - g o v e r n i n g b o d i e s o r o t h e r official
or semi-official b o d i e s .
(6) R a c i a l , r e l i g i o u s o r l i n g u i s t i c m i n o r i t i e s t o h a v e t h e r i g h t
to establish their c u l t u r a l a n d welfare institutions, a n d to b e
assured an equitable share in the e n j o y m e n t a n d application
of t h e s u m s w h i c h m a y b e p r o v i d e d f r o m f u n d s u n d e r t h e
S t a t e , m u n i c i p a l or o t h e r b u d g e t for e d u c a t i o n a l , religious a n d
charitable purposes.
It w a s suggested t h a t in upholding these rights, there should be a
f i n a l r i g h t of a p p e a l t o t h e P r i v y C o u n c i l . B u t t h i s s u g g e s t i o n w a s
c r i t i c i s e d o n t h e g r o u n d t h a t i t w o u l d i n e v i t a b l y h a v e t h e effect of
b r i n g i n g t h e G o v e r n m e n t o r G o v e r n o r of B u r m a , i n t h e d i s c h a r g e
of t h e i r a d m i n i s t r a t i v e r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , i n t o conflict w i t h t h e h i g h e s t
C o u r t of A p p e a l i n t h e E m p i r e .
8 6 . Commercial
Discrimination.—It
was urged t h a t there should
b e no discrimination against a n y c o m m u n i t y carrying on business
o r t r a d i n g in B u r m a , a n d it w a s p r o p o s e d t h a t t h e C o n s t i t u e n t A c t
should contain provisions defining clearly t h e position a n d rights
of c o m m e r c i a l c o m m u n i t i e s .
T h e view w a s expressed t h a t t h e
g e n e r a l p r i n c i p l e s r e c o r d e d i n t h e F o u r t h R e p o r t of t h e F e d e r a l
S t r u c t u r e C o m m i t t e e of t h e I n d i a n C o n f e r e n c e , d o c u m e n t R . T . C . 2 2 ,
p a r t i c u l a r l y p a r a g r a p h s 18 a n d 2 6 , w o u l d f o r m t h e b a s i s of a
s u i t a b l e p r o v i s i o n . B u t it w a s u r g e d t h a t i n a d d i t i o n t o s e c u r i t y
s o p r o v i d e d f o r s u b j e c t s of t h e C r o w n i n B u r m a , B r i t i s h s u b j e c t s
should be secured the right t o enter a n d to engage in trade
a n d i n d u s t r y in B u r m a in t h e future a s h i t h e r t o . T h e Governor,
i t w a s s u g g e s t e d , s h o u l d b e g i v e n full s t a t u t o r y p o w e r s t o e n s u r e
t h a t effect w a s g i v e n t o s u c h p r o v i s i o n s .
It w a s agreed t h a t the Act should provide t h a t there should be no
discrimination, legislative or administrative, against a n y existing
c o m m e r c i a l interests carrying on business o r t r a d i n g in B u r m a .
B u t t h e r e w a s a d i v i s i o n of o p i n i o n w h e t h e r t h i s p r o t e c t i o n s h o u l d
b e e x t e n d e d in t h e S t a t u t e t o cover future enterprises.
Financial Arrangements.
8 7 . Governors Powers.—There w a s g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t t h a t s u p p l y
f o r t h e r e s e r v e d s u b j e c t s a n d s e r v i c e of d e b t s h o u l d b e n o n - v o t e d
a n d s h o u l d f o r m t h e first c l a i m o n t h e r e v e n u e s of B u r m a , a n d
further, that the Governor should be given w h a t e v e r powers might
b e n e c e s s a r y t o s e c u r e , w i t h o u t d e p e n d e n c e o n t h e v o t e of t h e
L e g i s l a t u r e , f u n d s for t h e d i s c h a r g e of h i s r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s .
It w a s
also proposed, w i t h o u t objection being raised, t h a t t h e existing
s y s t e m of t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n of a n a n n u a l
financial
s t a t e m e n t in
l i e u ofca F i n a n c e B i l l s h o u l d b e c o n t i n u e d , a n d t h a t a l l t h e r e v e n u e s
of B u r m a s h o u l d b e p a i d i n t o a s i n g l e a c c o u n t . A s i s m e n t i o n e d i n
t h e s e c t i o n o n D e f e n c e , p a r a g r a p h 7 0 a b o v e , it w a s t h o u g h t t h a t
2fi
i n r e s p e c t of D e f e n c e t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y of a c o n t r a c t g r a n t f i x e d f o r a
t e r m o f y e a r s m i g h t b e left t o b e s e t t l e d a s a m a t t e r of a d m i n i s t r a t i v e
c o n v e n i e n c e . I t w a s s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e G o v e r n o r ' s prior s a n c t i o n
s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d t o m e a s u r e s affecting t h e public d e b t , a n d public
r e v e n u e , o r i m p o s i n g a c h a r g e on t h e r e v e n u e s , a n d t h a t i n accord­
ance with usual practice, proposals involving taxation o r appropria­
t i o n s h o u l d b e m a d e o n l y o n t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of t h e G o v e r n o r ,
a c t i n g , of c o u r s e , o n t h e a d v i c e of M i n i s t e r s i n m a t t e r s f a l l i n g w i t h i n
t h e field f o r w h i c h t h e y a r e r e s p o n s i b l e .
8 8 . Railways.—As
regards Railways, there was some discussion as
t o t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y of e n t r u s t i n g t h e m a n a g e m e n t of t h e r a i l w a y s , a s
o p p o s e d t o policy (which i t w a s a g r e e d s h o u l d rest w i t h a responsible
Minister), t o a Railway B o a r d to b e set u p b y S t a t u t e . T h e C o m ­
m i t t e e w a s n o t u n a n i m o u s o n t h i s p o i n t , b u t i t w a s a g r e e d t h a t if s u c h
a B o a r d were set u p it need o n l y be v e r y small. T h e r e w a s a m a j o r i t y
i n f a v o u r of s e p a r a t i n g t h e r a i l w a y f r o m t h e o r d i n a r y b u d g e t .
One
D e l e g a t e s u g g e s t e d t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a s i m i l a r S t a t u t o r y B o a r d
for t h e m a n a g e m e n t of P o s t s a n d T e l e g r a p h s , w h i c h , l i k e R a i l w a y s ,
is a " c o m m e r c i a l " d e p a r t m e n t a n d a s such should b e r u n o n
s t r i c t l y b u s i n e s s l i n e s , free f r o m t h e p o l i t i c a l p r e s s u r e t o w h i c h a
d e p a r t m e n t u n d e r t h e d i r e c t c o n t r o l of a n e l e c t e d M i n i s t e r i s l i a b l e .
8 9 . Appointment
of a Financial
Adviser.—In
t h e e v e n t of B u r m a
b e i n g s e p a r a t e d f r o m I n d i a , h e r G o v e r n m e n t will h a v e t o d e a l w i t h
f i n a n c i a l q u e s t i o n s of w h i c h n e i t h e r officials n o r n o n - o f f i c i a l s i n
B u r m a h a v e hitherto h a d o p p o r t u n i t y to gain experience. I t was,
accordingly, proposed t h a t t h e Governor a n d t h e Ministers (including
t h e F i n a n c e M i n i s t e r ) , s h o u l d h a v e t h e a s s i s t a n c e of a n e x p e r t
Financial Adviser, w h o w o u l d have i m p o r t a n t duties i n connection
with t h e annual budget a n d capital transactions. M a n y Delegates,
however, only accepted this proposal on t h e assumption that t h e
s u b j e c t s of c u r r e n c y a n d c o i n a g e s h o u l d b e t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e c o n t r o l
of a M i n i s t e r . I t w a s e m p h a s i z e d t h a t t h e f i n a n c i a l s t a b i l i t y of a
c o u n t r y a n d its credit a b r o a d d e p e n d t o a great e x t e n t on t h e
s o u n d n e s s of i t s b u d g e t a r y a r r a n g e m e n t s . A s i t is p r o p o s e d ( p a r a . 8 2 )
t h a t t h e Governor should h a v e a special responsibility in respect
of B u r m a ' s f i n a n c i a l s t a b i l i t y a n d c r e d i t , i t w a s s u g g e s t e d t h a t t o
e n a b l e h i m t h e m o r e effectively t o discharge this responsibility,
t h e F i n a n c i a l A d v i s e r s h o u l d b r i n g t o t h e n o t i c e of t h e G o v e r n o r
(to w h o m h e w o u l d b e r e s p o n s i b l e i n t h i s regard) a n y p r o p o s a l s
tending t o impair stability a n d credit.
Some Delegates objected
t o t h i s proposal o n t h e g r o u n d t h a t it would interfere w i t h t h e
a u t h o r i t y of t h e F i n a n c e M i n i s t e r a n d h i s c o l l e a g u e s . T h e F i n a n c i a l
Adviser should h a v e the right,to speak in the Legislature, b u t n o t
to vote.
9 0 . Loans.—Some
general discussion t o o k place regarding t h e
m a n n e r i n w h i c h e x t e r n a l l o a n s s h o u l d b e raised, b u t n o definite
c o n c l u s i o n s w e r e f o r m u l a t e d . I t w a s p o i n t e d o u t t h a t it m i g h t n o t
b e p o s s i b l e for a s e l f - g o v e r n i n g B u r m a t o r a i s e l o a n s i n t h e n a m e of
a S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e . A p o s s i b l e p l a n m i g h t b e for t h e p r o v i s i o n s
of t h e C o l o n i a l S t o c k s A c t t o b e a p p l i e d t o G o v e r n m e n t of B u r m a
loans.
9 1 . Appointment
of an Auditor-General.—There
was general agree­
m e n t t o t h e p r o p o s a l t h a t t h e C o n s t i t u e n t A c t s h o u l d p r o v i d e for
t h e a p p o i n t m e n t of a n A u d i t o r - G e n e r a l .
Conclusions of the Committee.
T h e C o m m i t t e e f a i l e d t o r e a c h a g r e e m e n t u p o n a n u m b e r of t h e
H e a d s for Discussion c o n t a i n e d in t h e A g e n d a s u b m i t t e d t o it b y t h e
C h a i r m a n . A m o n g s u c h m a t t e r s m u s t b e i n c l u d e d t h e c l a i m of t h e
M i n o r i t i e s t o s e p a r a t e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n in t h e n e w P a r l i a m e n t , t h e
q u e s t i o n of t h e f r a n c h i s e , a n d t h e m e t h o d of e l e c t i o n t o e l e c t e d
seats in t h e Senate.
T h e r e w a s , n e v e r t h e l e s s , a g r e e m e n t , s a v e o n t h e p a r t of t h o s e
Delegates who are unwilling to agree to a n y safeguards at t h e present
s t a g e (vide p a r a . 8 0 ) , u p o n t h e o u t l i n e s of a c o n s t i t u t i o n w h i c h ,
a p p l y i n g t o t h e c a s e of B u r m a t h e p r i n c i p l e u n d e r l y i n g t h e P r i m e
M i n i s t e r s s t a t e m e n t o f 1st D e c e m b e r , 1 9 3 1 , i n r e g a r d t o I n d i a ,
s h o u l d p l a c e u p o n t h e L e g i s l a t u r e of B u r m a r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for t h e
g o v e r n m e n t of t h e c o u n t r y , s u b j e c t t o t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n t h a t , i n
e x i s t i n g c i r c u m s t a n c e s , c e r t a i n specified s u b j e c t s m u s t b e r e s e r v e d
t o t h e G o v e r n o r , t h a t , in finance, s u c h c o n d i t i o n s m u s t a p p l y as
w o u l d e n s u r e t h e f u l f i l m e n t of B u r m a ' s d u e o b l i g a t i o n s a n d b u i l d
u p h e r c r e d i t a n d m a i n t a i n h e r financial s t a b i l i t y , a n d finally, t h a t
t h e G o v e r n o r m u s t b e g i v e n t h e n e c e s s a r y p o w e r s i n a l l fields t o
d i s c h a r g e t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s s p e c i f i c a l l y p l a c e d u p o n h i m . I t is
possible to e m b o d y t h e a g r e e m e n t reached on this b r o a d question
in t h e following general conclusions :—
(1) T h e C o m m i t t e e a g r e e d u p o n t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a
L e g i s l a t u r e , c o n s i s t i n g of t w o H o u s e s , t o b e s t y l e d t h e S e n a t e
a n d t h e H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , t h e t w o b o d i e s t o b e c o l ­
l e c t i v e l y d e s c r i b e d a s t h e P a r l i a m e n t of B u r m a .
(2) I t w a s a g r e e d t h a t t h e S e n a t e s h o u l d b e a b o u t o n e - t h i r d
of t h e s i z e of t h e H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , t h a t i t s h o u l d b e
c o m p o s e d p a r t l y o f e l e c t e d a n d p a r t l y of n o m i n a t e d m e m b e r s ,
that a rotational system should be introduced under which
t h e t e n u r e of a s e a t i n t h e S e n a t e s h o u l d b e f o r 6 - 7 y e a r s , a n d
t h a t t h e Senate should only b e dissolved in exceptional
circumstances.
(3) I t w a s a g r e e d t h a t t h e m a x i m u m life of t h e H o u s e of
R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s s h o u l d b e five y e a r s , a n d t h a t t h e " official
b l o c , " i n t h e s e n s e of officials e n t i t l e d t o v o t e a s w e l l a s s p e a k ,
should be abolished.
(4) I t w a s a g r e e d t h a t B i l l s p a s s e d i n o n e H o u s e , b u t r e j e c t e d
b y t h e o t h e r , s h o u l d b e r e t u r n e d t o t h e o r i g i n a t i n g H o u s e for
r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n . I n t h e e v e n t of a s e c o n d r e j e c t i o n , t h e r e s h o u l d
e n s u e a p e r i o d of d e l a y , s u b j e c t t o a d i s p e n s i n g p o w e r b y t h e
G o v e r n o r i n c a s e s o f u r g e n c y , f o l l o w e d , if n e c e s s a r y , b y a j o i n t
s e s s i o n of t h e t w o H o u s e s .
(5) I t w a s a g r e e d t h a t M i n i s t e r s m i g h t b e s e l e c t e d f r o m
either H o u s e a n d should h a v e t h e right t o speak in b o t h H o u s e s .
T h e n u m b e r of M i n i s t e r s s h o u l d , i n e x i s t i n g c i r c u m s t a n c e s , b e
n o t more than eight, t h e y should b e collectively responsible
t o t h e L e g i s l a t u r e , a n d t h e r e s h o u l d b e a Chief or P r i m e
M i n i s t e r , w h o w o u l d n o r m a l l y b e t h e l e a d e r of t h e s t r o n g e s t
p a r t y i n t h e H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s . I t w a s a l s o a g r e e d t h a t ,
while the Governor m i g h t not ordinarily preside over the
C o u n c i l o r C a b i n e t of M i n i s t e r s , h e s h o u l d b e a b l e t o d o s o a t
h i s discretion.
(6) I t w a s a g r e e d t h a t t h e r e s h o u l d b e n o s e x d i s q u a l i f i c a t i o n
f r o m m e m b e r s h i p of e i t h e r H o u s e of t h e L e g i s l a t u r e , t h a t
t h e r e s h o u l d b e a m i n i m u m a g e l i m i t of 3 5 for m e m b e r s h i p of
t h e Senate, and that the present conditions regarding insolvents
s h o u l d b e m o d i f i e d in s u c h a w a y a s t o p r e v e n t a b a n k r u p t
from harsher treatment t h a n a criminal.
(7) T h e r e w a s g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t a s t o t h e field o f t h e
G o v e r n o r s responsibilities a n d t h a t , in addition to t h e ordinary
p o w e r s of r e t u r n i n g , r e s e r v i n g , a n d d i s a l l o w i n g l e g i s l a t i v e
measures, the Governor s h o u l d h a v e all necessary powers t o
enable h i m to discharge h i s special responsibilities, including
t h e power to secure requisite funds.
It was considered that
t h e Governor should be instructed to keep in touch with t h e
M i n i s t r y a n d t h e L e g i s l a t u r e in t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f s u b j e c t s
entrusted to him.
(8) I t w a s a g r e e d t h a t t h e r e s h o u l d b e n o d i s c r i m i n a t i o n
against minorities or e x i s t i n g c o m m e r c i a l interests.
(9) A s r e g a r d s D e f e n c e , t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y of t h e d e v e l o p m e n t
of a n i n d i g e n o u s d e f e n c e f o r c e w a s g e n e r a l l y r e c o g n i s e d , a n d i t
w a s agreed that means should b e found t o keep the Legislature
i n f o r m e d of q u e s t i o n s o f A r m y a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ;
(10) T h e r e w a s a g e n e r a l m e a s u r e of a g r e e m e n t u p o n t h e
s t r u c t u r e of t h e n e w H i g h C o u r t .
(11) A s r e g a r d s t h e S e r v i c e s , i t w a s a g r e e d t o p r e s e r v e t h e
e x i s t i n g r i g h t s a n d s a f e g u a r d s ( i n c l u d i n g p e n s i o n s ) for officers
a p p o i n t e d b e f o r e t h e n e w C o n s t i t u t i o n s h o u l d c o m e i n t o effect,
a n d t h a t t h e r i g h t of r e t i r e m e n t o n p r o p o r t i o n a t e p e n s i o n
s h o u l d b e e x t e n d e d . T h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a P u b l i c S e r v i c e s
Commission w a s also agreed upon.
S i g n e d o n b e h a l f of t h e C o m m i t t e e ,
PEEL.
5th January,
1932.
APPENDIX
I.
LONDON,
9th December,
1931.
To the Chairman and Members of the Burma Round Table Conference.
MY LORDS AND
GENTLEMEN,
T h e r e a p p e a r s t o b e a g r e a t m e a s u r e of d o u b t a n d c o n f u s i o n a s t o t h e e x a c t
a t t i t u d e of t h e S h a n S t a t e s t o w a r d s B u r m a .
A s i m p l e e x p l a n a t i o n will d o
m u c h t o c l e a r t h e a i r of a m i s a p p r e h e n s i o n t h a t h a s a r i s e n t h r o u g h t h e m i s ­
i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e c l a u s e o n p a g e 5 of l a s t y e a r ' s M e m o r a n d u m .
I t s h o u l d b e u n d e r s t o o d first a n d f o r e m o s t t h a t all t h e d e l e g a t e d Chiefs
a n d t h e i r Advisers a r e c o m p l e t e l y in a g r e e m e n t , n o t only b e t w e e n t h e m s e l v e s
b u t w i t h t h e i r fellow Chiefs t h a t d e p u t e d t h e m t o c o m e o v e r h e r e a n d w h o
s t i l l r e m a i n i n a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h e M e m o r a n d u m of l a s t y e a r .
In this con­
n e c t i o n i t s h o u l d a l s o b e r e m a r k e d t h a t w h e n t h e S a w b w a of H s i p a w s t a t e d
h e w a s n o t t h e w r i t e r of t h e M e m o r a n d u m h e d i d n o t for a m o m e n t m e a n h e
w a s n o t in a g r e e m e n t w i t h it.
H e m e r e l y wished t o infer t h a t i t w a s n o t his
f a u l t if t h e i n t e n t i o n t h e r e i n w a s n o t c l e a r l y s e t o u t .
T h e y h a v e n o desire t o say in a n y s u b - C o m m i t t e e a n y t h i n g t h e y would
n o t s a y i n full C o m m i t t e e , a n d w o u l d p r e f e r t o s p e a k o p e n l y r a t h e r t h a n t h e i r
b r o t h e r Chiefs should t h i n k t h e y h a d said a n y t h i n g t h e y d i d n o t w i s h t h e
w h o l e of t h e R e p r e s e n t a t i v e C h i e f s o n t h e F e d e r a l C o u n c i l t o k n o w .
T h e signatories t o this letter m u s t m a k e it clear t h a t a l t h o u g h t h e y
a p p r e c i a t e t h e a t t i t u d e of t h e B u r m e s e D e l e g a t e s t o w a r d s t h e i r a i m s — a n d
they h a v e sought their help—they gave n o authority to U Chit Hlaing to
s u g g e s t t h a t t h e y h a v e b e e n i n d u c e d b y a n y officers t o s a y a n y t h i n g a t a l l .
T h e i n s i n u a t i o n of U C h i t H l a i n g s h o u l d b e c a t e g o r i c a l l y d e n i e d .
T h e d i s p u t e d c l a u s e o n p a g e 5 of t h e M e m o r a n d u m s h o u l d b e e x p l a i n e d .
T h e Chiefs d i d n o t for one m o m e n t c o n s i d e r t h a t t h e f o u r p o i n t s c o n t a i n e d
t h e r e i n c o u l d b e g r a n t e d b y t h e f u t u r e C o n s t i t u t i o n of B u r m a .
Granted those
four p o i n t s , t h e n t h e S h a n S t a t e s h a v e n o objection to a close r e l a t i o n s h i p
w i t h B u r m a , confined, however, t o t h o s e m a t t e r s w h i c h i n t i m a t e l y concern
t h e m u t u a l w e l f a r e of t h e t w o s e p a r a t e c o u n t r i e s — s u c h a s m a t t e r s of d e f e n c e ,
communication, customs, etc.
I n order t o a t t a i n t h e four points u p o n which so m u c h discussion h a s
a r i s e n , r e p r e s e n t a t i o n i n t h e f u t u r e L e g i s l a t u r e of B u r m a i s n o t n e c e s s a r y a n d
cannot be helpful; a n d the Federated Shan States would m u c h rather rely
solely u p o n its relationship w i t h H i s Majesty's G o v e r n m e n t t h r o u g h H i s
E x c e l l e n c y t h e G o v e r n o r of B u r m a t h a n t o h a v e t h e d o u b l e c h a n n e l t o w h i c h
t h e y h a v e a l r e a d y o b j e c t e d ( s e e p a r a . 7, p a g e 8).
Upon this paragraph m a y
w e e m p h a s i s e w h a t w e s a y t h e r e : " I n t h e e v e n t of s e p a r a t i o n of B u r m a f r o m
I n d i a u n d e r a n e w C o n s t i t u t i o n , a n d the claim of the Shan States to be treated
independently
of Burma being successful
"—surely
t h i s clearly m e a n s t h a t we,
a t t h a t t i m e as now, desired t o r e m a i n a separate entity.
If f u r t h e r e v i d e n c e f r o m o u r o r i g i n a l M e m o r a n d u m b e d e s i r e d , h o w c a n
the clause on page 5 be considered to be a n overture to be included in the new
L e g i s l a t u r e of B u r m a i n t h e f a c e of o u r r e i t e r a t e d a i m t o a t t a i n t o t h e s t a t u s
of a n i n d e p e n d e n t S t a t e u n d e r t h e C r o w n ( p a g e 2 , c l a u s e 5 ; p a g e 7, c l a u s e s
5 a n d 6) ?
I n t h e S u p p l e m e n t a r y M e m o r a n d u m of t h e C o m m i t t e e of S i x C h i e f s
a d d r e s s e d t o H i s E x c e l l e n c y t h e G o v e r n o r of B u r m a ( p a g e 10, c l a u s e 14) t h e
C h i e f s h a v e a g a i n s t a t e d t h e i r d e s i r e for a r e v i s i o n of t h e i r s t a t u s .
This
c o u l d n o t p o s s i b l y b e a c c e d e d t o b y a n y n e w C o n s t i t u t i o n of B u r m a , h o w e v e r
w i d e its p o w e r s m a y be.
Mr. F o o t , i n a c o n s t r u c t i v e speech, s t a t e d definitely t h a t w h i c h we wished
t o h e a r — t h a t " t h e r e is n o d e m a n d u p o n t h e o t h e r (i.e., B u r m a n ) s i d e a n d n o
a n x i e t y t h a t t h e y s h o u l d b e forced t o c o m e i n t o a n y s u c h L e g i s l a t u r e " ; a n d
" t h e r e is n o t h i n g t h a t will p r e v e n t t h e s u b s e q u e n t discussion a s t o t h e Shan
States having representation in the Upper H o u s e to deal with t h e points that
have been mentioned by Lord Lothian."
As t o o u r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n in the U p p e r H o u s e , t h a t m a y well b e discussed
later, w h e n it is d e c i d e d u p o n w h a t m a t t e r s will b e d e a l t w i t h t h e r e . If those
b e , a l o n e , m a t t e r s of i n t e r n a t i o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e t w e e n t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s ,
t h e n r e p r e s e n t a t i o n will b e i m p e r a t i v e .
D r . T h e i n M a u n g a n d o t h e r D e l e g a t e s s t r e s s e d t h e q u e s t i o n of f r o n t i e r
defence.
W e s u g g e s t t h a t t h i s is a m a t t e r of d e t a i l , of i m p o r t a n t d e t a i l
a d m i t t e d l y , b u t o n e of t h o s e s u b j e c t s w h i c h , i n c o m m o n w i t h o t h e r s , w i l l
i n e v i t a b l y h a v e to be discussed later.
T h i s l e t t e r i s a d d r e s s e d t o t h e L o r d C h a i r m a n a n d M e m b e r s of t h e
C o n f e r e n c e s o l e l y w i t h t h e i n t e n t i o n of r e m o v i n g a n y m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t
m a y e x i s t as t o o u r position, a n d to e n s u r e t h a t n o m i s c o n c e p t i o n m a y r e m a i n
t h a t t h e w h o l e of t h e S a w b w a s , h e r e a n d i n t h e S t a t e s , a r e o t h e r t h a n of
a united m i n d a n d uninfluenced b y any consideration b e y o n d their own
States' welfare.
W e h a v e the honour to be,
My Lords and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servants,
SAW
ON
KYA,
SAWBWA
OF
HSIPAW.
SAO S H W E T H A I K E , SAWBWA OF YAWNGHWE.
SAO
HOM
SAO
K A W N G TAI,
HPA,
SAWBWA
OF N O R T H
KYEMMONG
OF
HSENWI.
KENGTUNG.
APPENDIX
II.
UPPER CHAMBER.
Geographical distribution of seats on the basis of 3 0 directly elected
members on the electors' qualifications for (a) the Council of State, (b) the
Legislative Assembly.
Territorial unit.
Rangoon Town
Arakan Division
Pegu Division
Irrawaddy Division
Tenasserim Division
Magwe Division
Mandalay Division
Sagaing Division
Area.
..
..
76
13,301
13,625
13,417
33,102
17,940
12,584
18,886
(a) C o u n c i l o f
State basis.
(b) L e g i s l a t i v e
A s s e m b l y basis.
Voters.
Seats.
Voters.
Seats.
3,006
1,104
4,693
5,212
2,662
979
1,812
801
4
2
7
8
4
1
3
1
8,745
1,982
10,018
15,115
4,085
2,016
5,618
3,482
5
1
6
9
3
1
3
2
30
N u m b e r of v o t e r s
N u m b e r of s e a t s ( a s s u m e d )
A v e r a g e n u m b e r of v o t e r s p e r s e a t . .
30
(a) C o u n c i l of
State basis.
(b) L e g i s l a t i v e
A s s e m b l y basis.
20,269
30
675
51,061
30
1,702