PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
JLLICO. 882
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- | GOPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
19:
4. The way in which the subject was discussed was a good illustration of what your Lordship has said, that the Mauritius Council of Government is conspicuous among the Legislatures of Crown Colonies for its ability. Indeed, I have seldom heard in any parliamentary assembly a more instructive or better sustained discussion. The speeches of Sir Virgile Nas and Mr. Raoul would have done credit to the House of Commons.
5. A good deal of interest was shown in the proceedings. That part of the Council Chamber appropriated to the public, and which I am told has not hitherto been filled for a quarter of a century, was crowded by listeners as intelligent and respectable as those that may be seen in the Speaker's gallery at Westminster.
6. On analysing the division lists, as they appear in the enclosed extract from the minutes, your Lordship will notice that every member present of the Mauritian race voted for the introduction of the elective element. It will also be noted that the only members who spoke against giving the inhabitants of Mauritius some direct voice in the management of their own affairs were members of Council born in Great Britain, and who have probably not the same family ties or permanent interest in the prosperity of the Colony as the others.
7. The fact that the Council of Government of Mauritius is a purely nominee Council, every member being selected and appointed by the Crown, gives, perhaps, some addi- tional weight to the decision arrived at on this occasion, as it may be fairly assumed that a body so constituted would be rather inclined than otherwise to maintain its own exclusive privileges, especially when in so doing it would be acting according to the expressed wishes of Her Majesty's Government.
8. Whilst it would therefore seem that the decision fairly represents the settled policy of the Council of Government, a further question has to be answered, does that decision in rejecting the concession offered by Her Majesty's Government represent the public opinion of the Colony? This is practically the question your Lordship, in the 10th paragraph of your Despatch,* calls upon me to answer.
9. It must be frankly admitted that the Council of Government has not on all questions and on all occasions represented the real opinion and the true interests of this community. But the decision now given on this particular subject is certainly in accord with the views that I believe are entertained by the overwhelming majority of intelligent and responsible Mauritians. Even Mr. Antelme, who stands almost alone in opposing the elective principle, would prefer, as he tells me, a different scheme to that suggested by Her Majesty's Government. He would wish to see the unofficial members increased in number so that they might constitate more than half the Council.
10. But whilst the actual change suggested by Her Majesty's Government (that in practice a seat should be assigned to the Mayor of Port Louis, the President of the Chamber of Agriculture and the President of the Chamber of Commerce) would not be acceptable to any section of the Mauritian community, there is a consensus of opinion that your Lordship has accurately indicated the general principle on which a reform of the constitution should proceed, in pointing out in the seventh paragraph of your Despatch that alterations might be made with advantage in the mode of appointing unofficial mem- bers so as to make the Council of Government more directly representative than it is at present, and more thoroughly in accord with the feelings and opinions of the time. The almost unanimous sentiment here is that your Lordship's sound principle can be effectively applied only by the adoption of the elective system, and in some such prudent form as the second resolution of the Council of Government has sketched out. In that opinion Į
concur.
11. When I am laying before your Lordship the report of the speeches delivered in Council, I shall venture to add a few words showing how my own views on the subject were formed as my acquaintance with the Colony increased.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby,
&c.
&c.
&c.
* No. 2.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. POPE HENNESSY.
(No. 26 of 1883.)
18
Enclosure in No. 9.
MINUTES of the PROCEEDINGS of the COUNCIL of GOVERNMENT, at a Meeting held at Government House, on Friday, the 21st day of December 1883.
His Excellency the Governor.
Present:
The Honourable the Officer Commanding the Tooops.
$3
the Acting Colonial Secretary.
..
**
the Acting Procureur and Advocate General.
"
the Acting Receiver General.
"
the Acting Auditor General.
the Collector of Customs.
15
>
the Acting Protector of Immigrants.
the Surveyor General.
R. Stein.
"
Sir V. Naz, K.C.M.G.
C. F. H. Adam.
..
J. Fraser.
"
L. L. Raoul.
**
A. P. Ambrose.
"
J. A. Ferguson.
Absent:
The Honourable C. Antelme, C.M.G. (through illness).
Read and confirmed the Minutes of Proceedings of the Council at the meeting held op Tuesday, the 18th day of December 1888:
The following minute, under the hand of His Excellency the Governor, was then read :
(No. 68 of 1883.)
MINUTE.
PURCHASE of a Steam Launch for Customs Department,
The Governor has the honour to inform the Council of Government that it has been represented by the Honourable the Collector of Customs that a steam launch would afford a better means than those at present existing of preventing smuggling and of enforcing the quarantine laws; he has therefore to request à vote of the Council for the purchase of a steam launch, the cost of which is estimated at about 8301.
J. POPE HENNEasy, Governor.
Government House,
21st December 1883.
Ordered to be referred to the Finance Committee.
The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, by command of his Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following document:
Return of Marriagos* published and celebrated in Mauritius during 1889. The Honourable the Acting Receiver General laid upon the table the following Reports of the Finance Committee, and gave notice that he would move their adoption st the next meeting:
No. 64, dated 10th December 1888, beaded: Retiring allowances to police constables
Nepaul, Legris, and Rivière, and prison guards (Joolam, Mohideen and Romain. No. 65, dated 17th December 1883, headed: Cost of the Postal Service of the Colony. No. 66, dated 17th December 1883, headed: International Forestry Exhibition at
Edinburgh in 1884.
No. 67, dated 17th December 1883, headed: Assistant Engineer to the General
Board of Health.
No. 68,* dated 17th December 1883, headed: Painting Verandahs at the Civil
Hospital.
• Vide Sessional Papers.
B 3