115
ships, which he estimated would produce Rs. 800,000 if levied at the rate of one per cent. A house tax, estimated to produce Rs. 300,000, was recommended to the Council by Sir F. Fleming in his minute of the 16th October, 1888. But the Com- mittee were opposed to increased taxation (Report, 26th November, 1888).
I think it would be desirable to substitute for the Government grant to the District Boards an inhabited house tax to be paid by the owner, which should be graduated so as to exclude houses or huts of a lower value than Rs. 400 and which should not exceed one per cent. The amount of the rate to be recommended by the District Boards, but to be subject to approval or amendment by the Executive Council or by resolution of the Council of Government.
The rate to be in substitution of the ten per cent. of the direct taxes now paid to the Boards by Government and of the Treasury grant for water works under Ordinance No. 35 of 1902, but not in substitution of the surcharge of the additional ten per cent.
The effect of this proposal if carried out would be to save to the Government one- half of the grants plus the water contribution now made to the District Boards, and to give to the District Boards the right of raising their own revenue from the areas under their control.
Government buildings might pay a contribution in proportion to their
assessment.
But the financial gain to the Government would be about Rs. 85,000.
The question of machinery naturally suggests itself. It is highly undesirable to create anything in the nature of a new department. I think it would be sufficient if a preliminary valuation of the houses were made by the police and submitted to the magistrate, who might check the valuation, with the aid of the sanitary Inspector, and then notify the owner, who might lodge any protest he liked with the magistrate Such pro- without the formal and expensive proceedings of a, hearing in court. ceedings would only take place if there were sufficient grounds to resist the owner's claim and would be heard by the magistrate of another district.
I will be glad if you will submit this further proposal for the consideration of the Committee of the whole Council.
As some doubt has arisen as to whether the proposal for a general reduction of salaries is to be revived, I think it well to remove misunderstanding by the following explanation:-
On the 23rd April I explained to the Council of Government that I had examined the proposal to place a tax of ten per cent. on all salaries above Rs. 3,000, and I found that such a tax would only yield Rs. 98,000. I examined also the list of officers who were entitled to take their full pension in gold and who would enjoy a larger income if they took their pension than if they remained in the service with a salary diminished by ten per cent. I found that their total pensions would amount to Rs. 135,000, so that a tax of ten per cent. on all salaries over Rs. 3,000 would not improbably result in a financial loss of Rs. 37,000.
I did not consider it necessary, therefore, to discuss the principle of the measure as it is evident that such a measure, whether just or unjust, is inexpedient.
6th November, 1908.
45994
No. 88.
GRAHAM BOWER.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 3.25 p.m., 15th December, 1908.)
TELEGRAM.
Following motion unanimously adopted by Unofficial Members of Legislative Council to-day :-
14
That on next vacancy salary of Governor be reduced to Rs. 50,000 annually."
-BOWER.
46474
No. 89
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 1.52 p.m., 18 December, 1908.) TELEGRAM.
Following resolution moved by Leclézio, unanimously adopted by Unofficial Members of Legislative Council:-
"That as measure relief to the Colony in its present depressed financial condi- tion Colony be exempted for a period of three years from the payment of the military contribution."
-
BOWER.
46714
No. 90.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 21 December, 1908.)
(Secret.)
MY LORD,
Government House, Le Réduit, 19 November, 1908.
In continuation of my secret despatch of the 13th November last,* I have the honour to enclose, for your information, six copies of a minute which I addressed to the Council of Government covering a copy of a letter from the Right Reverend the Bishop of Port Louis proposing reductions in the education grant.
2. This minute was read in Council on the 17th instant.
(No. 19 of 1908.)
I have, &c.,
GRAHAM BOWER,
Officer Administering the Government.
Enclosure in No. 90.
MINUTE.
Reduction of the Education Grants.
The Officer Administering the Government begs to present to the Council of Government here with a copy of a letter received from the Bishop of Port Louis containing proposals for a reduction of the education grants.
In communicating this letter to the Council and recommending the proposals therein contained, the Officer Administering the Government desires to express his grateful acknowledgment of the generous public spirit thus shown by His Lordship the Bishop of Port Louis.
Government House,
SIR,
12th November, 1908.
GRAHAM BOWER.
The BISHOP OF PORT LOUIS to the OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT.
Bishop's Court, Port Louis, 11th November, 1908. WITH regard to the economies to be effected in the Education Department,
I beg leave to submit the following suggestions on behalf of the Roman Catholic Aided Schools.
On the understanding that these measures of economy be applied as widely as possible, and not to the primary schools alone, I beg to suggest
(1) That the portion of the teachers' emoluments which is paid to them as
salary remain untouched.
18217
• No. 87.
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference:
TILICO. 882
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE
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COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO