PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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No. 62.
THE PEOPLE OF MAURITIUS (PER DR. LAURENT) to THE SECRETARY OF
STATE.
(Received 5.40 p.m., 29th June, 1908.)
TELEGRAM.
[See No. 61.]
1. People of Mauritius assembled on the Champ-de-Mars offer through your Lordship to His Majesty assurance of loyalty and attachment to person and throne.
2. They are of opinion that loan is indispensable to help them to start a Land State bank for all agricultural wants. Loan also necessary to carry out works of public utility.
3. They disown resolution voted by Legislature on April 23rd last and urge necessity commission of enquiry as suggested by Lord Elgin in despatch* to Governor. Three resolutions voted unanimously-Dr. LAURENT, Senior Member of Port Louis, President, and Mayor.
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(No. 168.) MY LORD,
No. 03.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received July 3, 1908.)
[Answered by No. 66.]
Government House, Port Louis, 29th May, 1908. WITH reference to my despatch, No. 130, of the 25th April,t reporting the result of my reference to the Council of Government of Lord Elgin's question regard- ing the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry, as therein specified, I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a letter which I have received from Dr. H. O. Guibert embodying two resolutions passed at a public meeting held at Rose Hill on
the 10th current.
2. I also transmit a copy of two counter resolutions submitted by Mr. A. Hugnin, and which were passed after the organisers had left the platform; together with a report of the Police Officer on duty on that occasion.
3. On the 26th current Dr. Laurent, Mayor and Member of Council for Port Louis, handed to me a letter containing a resolution passed at a meeting held on the 24th at Pamplemousses; a copy of this letter is also enclosed together with copy of a report of the Police Officer on duty on that occasion. I informed Dr. Laurent that I thought that no useful purpose would be served in transmitting the resolution by cable, but that I would do so by despatch. I added that I thought that it would be more satisfactory if the names of the electors and others supporting the resolution had been given, as I should then have been in a position to communicate my opinion on the weight which should be attached to their representations in addressing your Lordship on the subject.
4. I have received a complaint from certain persons who attended the last- mentioned meeting, and who were requested to leave by the police, into which I am causing enquiry to be made. As, however, it is the wish of the originators of the meetings that the resolutions should be transmitted to you as soon as possible, I take the present opportunity of doing so without awaiting the result of the enquiry. I append a copy of the complaint which was transmitted by telegram, and of the. reply which I caused to be addressed to the complainants.
5. It is not easy to arrive at a definite conclusion as to the number of electors who have taken part in these meetings, or of the views of the majority of the elector- ate on the subjects then discussed. The published reports are somewhat conflicting, and no attempt has as yet been made to supply an authoritative list of those who have been present. I therefore find myself unable to offer herein any comments which might be useful. I understand, however, that further meetings of a similar
See No. 42.
t No. 57.
69
nature and purport are to be held, and it may be possible for me to supply some further information on the subject at a later date. I may observe, however, that, so far, the only member of Council who has concerned himself in the meetings already held is the member for Port Louis whom I have mentioned above.
EXCELLENCE,
I have, &c.,
Enclosure 1 in No. 63.
CAVENDISH BOYLE.
Port Louis, Ile Maurice, 12 Mai, 1908.
Je viens, comme président du meeting organisé avec votre autorisation par Mr. René Mérandon, Avocat et propriétaire, et tenu le 10 Mai, 1908, à Rose-Hill, vous soumettre respectueusement les résolutions votées par la majorité des habitants qui ont assisté à ce meeting.
"Les habitants des Plaines Wilhems, réunis ce jour en meeting public, protestent contre la décision prise par la majorité des représentants de la population à la séance du 23 Avril, 1908. Ils considèrent que l'emprunt seul peut sauver le pays, et ne sont pas opposés à une enquête."
Confiant dans votre libéralisme éclairé j'espère que vous ferez tenir au Ministre les dites résolutions.
Agréez, &o.,
DR. H. O. GUIBERT,
Président du meeting tenu le 10 Mai, 1908, à Rose Hill.
A Son Excellence Sir Cavendish Boyle, K.C.M.G., Gouverneur de l'Ile Maurice et de ses
Dépendances.
Enclosure 2 in No. 63.
RESOLUTIONS prises dans la seconde partie du Meeting des électeurs des Plaines Wilhems tenu le 10 Mai, 1908, au Marché de Rose Hill.
Considérant que les Planteurs sont les meilleurs juges de leurs intérêts et de leur dignité, le meeting est d'avis que l'électorat des Plaines Wilhems ne réclame
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pas une enquête que repoussent le corps agricole et la majorité de la législature.
Les électeurs des Plaines Wilhems présents approuvent et confirment le vote de leur estimé député, l'honorable G. Guibert, à la séance du Conseil Législatif où la question de l'enquête a été soulevée.”
12 Mai, 1908.
INSPECTOR ROBINSON,
Enclosure 3 in No. 63.
ADLI HUGNIN,
Président.
REPORT OF POLICE SUB-INSPECTOR COMMINS.
BETWEEN 200 and 300 persons attended Mr. Mérandon's meeting on Sunday last; about half that number were common Indians and Creoles. The meeting began between half past one and two p.m., and finished just after 4 p.m.
There was much shouting and hissing going on, and it was only after a great deal of difficulty could Mr. Mérandon get himself heard, but he was frequently interrupted. Mr. Nairao followed Mr. Mérandon in giving a speech, then came Mr. Hugnin, after whom Mr. Morel having obtained leave, I presume from the President, to speak, he got upon the table, but such a hue and cry was raised that he was unable to put in a word. In the midst of it all Dr. Guibert, the President, got upon the table and called for votes by the raising of hands; this was done, and he, the President, then jumped off the table and left the market followed by his friends and supporters.
Mr. Morel then put in the few words he had been vainly endeavouring to do. Mr. Hugnin was then brought forward, and he read certain resolutions proposed and he then called for votes as had been done by Dr. Guibert.