Coll 1/49 'Aden. Administration and control: changes consequent on Indian constitutional reforms; transfer to HMG' [‎443v] (895/968)

RECORDS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE
20° Novembris, 1933.] Memorandum by Sir Phiroze [Continued. ^
c Sethna, O.B.E., ON THE Future Constitution op Aden,
statement made by the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Ernest 6 aid that the
announcement came as a surprise to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. as much as
to the general public.
“ < I am obliged to stress this point,’ said Sir Ernest, ‘because during
the discussion on the Bill both I and my Honourable Friend the Chief
Secretary assured several Honourable Members that we had no reason
to suppose that a transfer was imminent, and indeed pointed to the
fact that the Government of India had instructed us to proceed with
the Bill as evidence that no immediate change was proposed. The
details of* the future system of administration at Aden are not yet
known to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , which indeed knows nothing
further than what has appeared in the Press.’
i riser
interv
.jx'l”*
ifle Sehl* 5
The
, this
“ This Sir proves my statement that even the Provincial Government
most directly concerned with the transfer was kept entirely in the dark.
“ This was, as I have said in 1927. In January, 1929, when there were
fresh rumours of the transfer, Questions were again asked and Sir Denys
Bray gave a reply which consisted of two sentences which are very pertinent
and to which I would respectfully request the earnest attention of Members
of this Honourable Council. The first sentence was: —
“‘I repeat my promises that the transfer of Aden from India will
not be effected without this House being taken into consultation.’
.■digii 1 one.
^(iaaee now ol
$11 ns
Hon
whic.
“ Mark the words ‘ my promises,’ which I may add were not fulfilled.
The next sentence is still more pertinent. He said.
“‘I hasten to add that all idea of such a transfer has long since
been abandoned.’
“Two years later, when the Aden administration was proposed to be
transferred from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. to the Government of India
there were also ruimiurs of a subsequent transfer from the Government of
India to the Colonial Office. Thereupon those interested in the Aden trade
thought it necessary to wait in a deputation on His Excellency the Viceroy
The deputation was a very influential and representative one. It w he
on His Excellency Lord Willingdon in November 1981 . The deputat on
nointed out to the Viceroy that it was feared that in all probability the
Ks£ from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. to the ^ve^
the thin end of the wedge and that it was but the first step to its sub
^ transfer to the Colonial Office. Now, Sir, mark the reply wta* on
behalf of the Viceroy the then Foreign Secretary now Sir hvelyr H .m .
gave to the deputation. He eaid, as regards the apprehension tha the
proposed transfer was only a step towards the trans er o yiew
Colonial Office, that the present proposals were m^e solely wth
to improving Hie conditions and making an end of administrative
venience at Aden. - . «
“ ‘ The proposals were complete in themselves and were ma e on eir
own merits without afterthought or ulterior motives of any km . )
were not a step towards any other change.’
“The deputation at first thought that His Excellency ^ *
part in the discussion, but His Excellency, in order to Jly ‘he W *
of the deputation, himself thought fit to add a few words
endorsed the Foreign Secretary’s statement regarding the trans ^
Colonial Office that no such suggestion had been considered a ^
that, should it arise in future, all interests concerned would be co
Ijuipatii! ffitli thi
jit kecaose tl
si euast only (
silt a Province
i lat the diffie
amt the dicul
tit that if Aden
jk perhaps the
it in my sub
»jtil adininistrat
31M)t.
S«r, Sir, I tu
hi of the HouS'
sii it which i
sr In the
pip as to i
Hays that Ad
am; from Inc
Wfoialf times
3® is sound.
R federation.
>« the opinion
* of State tl
^ He answer
our r
i. We
^ Governmem
I w
rtficnlar str
“ 1 the