25
26
to Government. You do not mention at what rate the promised £1 per ton would be converted into rupees under your proposal.
Generally, as the scheme is intended for the assistance of the industry, I should be inclined to make payment in the way its representatives prefer, even if it costs the Government a little more, which does not appear to be the case.
Would not the simplest plan be to issue drafts on the Crown Agents at the rate of £1 for every ton exported. Crown Agents being given authority to realize investments of the Improvement and Development Fund as necessary to meet such drafts? -PASSFIELD.
C. 74567/30 [No. 33].
No. 47.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 7.46 a.m., 21st September, 1930.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 49.]
CONFIDENTIAL 20th September. No. 101. Your telegram 18th September, No. 67.* I am advised payment by drafts on London may mean that bulk drafts will pass through Mauritius Commercial Bank who can control rates within limits and may give preferential terms to favoured customers whereas by tender all would receive equal treatment. Approximate rate expected by tender is, I understand, about 13 rupees
70 cents or better.
However, fluctuations of rates are now only possible within relatively narrow limits, and I do not press point as to tender if you consider payment by drafts preferable in deference to news [? views of] Chamber of Agriculturists.
Please advise me whether Crown Agents have been given necessary authority to pay drafts.
C. 74567/30 [No. 34].
No. 48.
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES. GENTLEMEN,
Downing Street, 24th September, 1930.
I AM directed by Lord Passfield to inform you that he has approved the grant by the Government of Mauritius of assistance to the sugar industry of the Colony by means of loans to the sugar manufacturers from the Mauritius General Improvement and Development Fund at the rate of £1 per ton of sugar exported. It is contemplated that payments shall be made by means of drafts on you and you are authorized to realize the investments of the Mauritius General Improvement and Development Fund in
your hands as may be necessary to meet such drafts.
I am, &c.,
No. 49.
WALTER D. ELLIS.
C. 74567/30 [No. 35].
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
(Sent 4
p.m.,
26th September, 1930.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 50.]
No. 69. CONFIDENTIAL. Your telegram of 20th September, No. 101.† Crown Agents have been authorized to meet drafts.--PASSfield.
C. 74567/30 '[No. 36].
No. 50.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 1.8 p.m., 14th October, 1930.) TELEGRAM.
14TH OCTOBER. No. 111. Confidential. Your telegram of the 26th Septem ber, No. 69.* Am requesting local Banks to tender for purchase of £230,000. Please instruct Crown Agents to sell all Improvement and Development Fund investments in their hands and to hold proceeds to meet drafts which we shall begin to issue next week.
C. 74567/30 [No. 37].
•
No. 51.
COLONIAL OFFICE to CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES.
GENTLEMEN,
Downing Street, 16th October, 1930.
I AM directed by Lord Passfield to refer to the letter from this Department of the 24th September,† regarding the proposed grant by the Governor of Mauritius of loans to the sugar manufacturers from the Mauritius General Improvement and' Development Fund.
A telegram has now been received from the Governor intimating that he is request- ing the local Banks to tender for the purchase of £230,000 and that he expects to com- inence the issue of drafts next week. I am accordingly to request you to sell all the investments in your hands of the General Improvement and Development Fund and to hold the proceeds to meet the drafts.
C. 74638/30 [No. 1].
No. 52.
I am, &c.,
WALTER D. ELLIS.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Sent 5 p.m., 17th November, 1930.) TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 53.]
No. 84. PLEASE telegraph before 22nd November a brief appreciation of the present position of the sugar industry with particular reference to:-
Probable financial results of 1930 crop;
Labour situation: is there any considerable unemployment, actual or antici- pated and if so does Government contemplate any action to relieve it? (3) Probability of reduction of operations in 1931.-PASSFIELD,
C. 74638/30 [No. 2].
No. 53.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 2.30 p.m., 19th November, 1930.) TELEGRAM.
No. 129. 19TH NOVEMBER. Your telegram No. 84. Sugar crop estimated at 230,000 tons. I am informed that average net price realized by manufacturers will probably be slightly over 120 rupees per metric ton. Owing to economies in operation cost of production may be somewhat less than average figure in Watts' Report, para- graph 2, but losses will be very heavy even after allowing for loan of £1 per ton advanced by Government as measure of temporary assistance.
(2) I am advised that there has not been so far much actual unemployment amongst field and factory workers, but position after close of crops will depend on
1
* No. 46.
† No. 47.
* No. 49.
+ No. 48.
† No. 52.
PECORD OFFICE
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