Burma : A Handbook of Practical Information - Khamkoo

PART II
GOVERNMENT
In Burma, as elsewhei-e in the Britisli Empire, tlie object
of the ruling power has been to maintain the spirit of
the native administration and to interfere as little as
possible with the native executive, legal, and land systems,
and with the customs and prejudices of the people. It
was necessary to purify corrupt methods and to remove
barbarous excrescences, but it was still more necessary
to avoid any attempt at imposing a brand-new cut-anddried
system, whether from Great Britain or India, inconsistent
with the genius and habits of the Burmese
race. The province has grown by degrees. At first
there were two detached areas, Tenasserim and Arakan.
Then Pegu was added. Finally Up]ier Burma was annexed.
The growth of the administration system has
kept pace step by step. At first a few short and simple
rules were framed for the guidance of civil officers.
Some imposts which were oppressive were abrogated at
once, but no new taxes were introduced in their place.
As soon as possible, simple codes of civil and criminal
procedure were enacted, and so much of the law of
India as could he made applicable was extended to the
growing province, always with suitable modifications.
From time to time these laws were added to, and new
regulations were made. Gradually method and regularity
were enforced. Simultaneously the administration grew.
For long Burma was a "non-regulation" province. Tliis
distinction is not so important as it once was. It derives
its name from the old regulations or uniform rules
of law and practice which j)reccded the present system
of acts of the legislature. These regulations were
originally intended to be universal in their application,
but were withdrawn from time to time from ap{)licaLion
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