PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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Reference :-
C.O.882
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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Governor-General and Council of India are of opinion that there will be no objection to a modification as regards the existing arrangement for back passages to coolie immigrants to the following extent, namely, that they should, on the expiration of their five yearn' industrial residence, he allowed to remain in the Colony, or to claim their back passages; and that if they should not, within six months, elect to claim their back passages, they should be held to have forfeited them; but that in cases of destitute sickness, the back passage should at any time be reserved to the emigrant.
This alteration will, of course, apply only to immigrants introduced subsequently to its promulgation.
I have, &c.
Sir,
(Signed) JOHN S. PAKINGTON.
Inclosure 1 to Secretary of State's Despatch No. 74.
India Board, June 28, 1852. WITH reference to your letter of the 24th November last, and to previous corre- spondence, I am directed by the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, to transmit to you a copy of a despatch from the Government of India, dated 30th April last, stating that with the reservations therein specified, they see no objection to the prospective modification of the existing arrangement regarding return passages for Indian labourers from the Island of Mauritius.
I am, &c.
Herman Merivale, Esq.,
&c.
&c.
Honourable Sirs,
&c.
(Signed)
Annexures to Inclosure 1.
HUGH STARK.
Fort William, April 30, 1852. WE have now the honour, in reply to your Honourable Court's despatch No. 20, dated the 10th December last, to transmit the accompanying communication from the Government of Bengal, with the Reports of the Protector of Emigrants, and the Emi- gration Agent at Calcutta, on the proposed modification of the law relating to the claim to return passage by Indian emigrants at Mauritius.
2. We see no objection prospectively to an option being offered to emigrants on the expiry of their industrial term of residence (five years) to remain as citizens of the Mauritius, or to return to India within a reasonable period, which might be stated at six months or one year; it being explained to them that in the event of their electing to return within the period prescribed, a passage will be found them; but that, after this period, should they desire to come to India, they will have no claim to a passage at the expense of the Government. We think it very necessary as a part of any such arrangement that time should be allowed to the emigrant to consider and decide on the question of his return.
3. In cases of destitute sickness, the right of a free passage back to their country at any period should also be reserved to the emigrant.
4. The withdrawal of the right of return passages under the above conditions and reservations would not, we are of opinion, be likely to operate injuriously on the disposition of the natives to emigrate.
To the Honourable the Court of Directors of the East India Company.
We have, &c. (Signed)
DALHOUSIE. F. CURRIE.
J. LOWIS.
B. PRACOCK.
167
Sir,
I AM directed to forward the accompanying copy of a despatch from the Honour-
Council Chamber, February 13, 1852. able the Court of Directors, No. 20, dated 10th December last, and of its inclosures,' regarding a proposed modification of the lay relating to the claim of Indian emigrants at Mauritius to return passages, and to request that under the Order of the Most Noble the Governor of Bengal, you will ascertain, as far as possible, the views of the emigrants on the subject through those best acquainted with their feelings; and in furnishing this information, submit also the sentiments of the Government of Bengal on the question generally.
(Signed)
I have, &c.
A. R. YOUNG, Under-Secretary to the Government of India.
W. Seton Karr, Esq.,
Under-Secretary to the Government of Bengal.
Sir,
I AM directed by the Most Noble the Governor of Bengal to acknowledge the
Fort William, March 24, 1852, receipt of the letter from your Office No. 182 of the 13th ultimo, giving inclosure to a copy of a despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors No. 20 of the 10th December last, with its accompaniments regarding a proposed modification of the law relating to the claim of Indian emigrants at the Mauritius to a return passage to this country.
2. The despatch was forwarded for report to the Protector of Emigrants and the Emigration Agent at this Port, who appeared the only parties acquainted with the feelings of the emigrants; copies of their Reports are inclosed.
3. In the opinion of the Protector the modification in question should have prospective effect, and it ought not to effect emigrants at present at the Mauritius.
4. Captain Rogers does not think that the withdrawal of the privilege will tend to check emigration, but he is of opinion that the modification should not extend to the Colonies in the West Indies in consequence of the comparatively small intercourse between those Colonies and this country.
5. The Emigration Agent sees no objection to the proposed modification, inasmuch as freight and passage to the Mauritius are always to be had at a moderate cost; but Mr. Caird would make an exception in favour of Immigrants who, from illness, disease, or unforeseen causes, may be unable to pay themselves for the return passage.
6. His Lordship observes that return passage at the expense of the Government of the Mauritius will be claimable by all emigrants who may have left this country on any day before the date of the promulgation of the proposed change if it be adopted. Experience only can show whether such a change will check the emigration of Indian labourers to the Mauritius.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. SETON KARR,
Under-Secretary to the Government of Bengal.
The Under-Secretary to the Government of India.
Sir,
Protector's Office, Fort William, March 5, 1852.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 861 of 23rd ultimo, forwarding copy of a despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors No. 20 of 10th December last, and its inclosure, regarding a proposed modification of the law relating to the claim of Indian emigrants at Mauritius to return passages, and requesting that after making any inquiries I may think necessary, that I will submit my sentiments on the question generally.
2. With reference to the above, I beg to state that all emigrants that have hitherto left this Presidency have had it clearly explained to them that, on their proceeding to the Mauritius, and there completing five years' service as field labourers, they would be entitled to a roturn pamage at Government expense. To take from those who have already embarked this privilege would, as I conceive, be to break faith with them.
3. The disposition that people now show to emigrate would, as I believe, be but little if, in any measure checked by the withdrawal of the promise of a return passage, and substituting an express intimation that except in cases of illness, every emigrant