GOVERNMENT IN CEYLON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22596, 8 December 1936, Page 11

GOVERNMENT IN CEYLON

SUCCESS OF NEW SYSTEM FINE CINGALESE STATESMEN Self-government in Ceylon is proving a success, and some of the Cingalese statesmen are equal to the best in the British Empire, according to statements made by Captain A. It. Hughes, representative of tho New Zealand Government in Ceylon, who arrived from Sydney by the Aorangi yesterday. "In tho past six years there have been great changes in Ceylon," stated Captain Hughes. "The commission which inquired into the matter recommended that self-government should be given to Ceylon. Now every man and woman, from the rickshaw coolie to the chiefs of Kandv, has a vote. This brought about a queer situation in Ceylon, and charges of bribery and corruption wore frequently hurled about by candidates for election. "Nevertheless, the new Government, which is composed almost entirely of Cingalese, with a few Tamils and Europeans. has done remarkably well, and in the Leafier of the House and the Minister for Lands Ceylon has line men. Many people still say that the Constitution should be taken away from Ceylon, and the old government restored. But with the rising tide of education in the East, and the revival of nationalistic aspirations, self-govern-ment is the only logical outcome." Captain Hughes stated that Ceylon was at present enjoying a period of prosperity, after the extremely depressed conditions which prevailed a lew years ago. The rubber industry was now on the way to recovery, and the same could he said of tea. Estates which had been abandoned two years I ago were working again.