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Considers currency of the Colony should be protected. In view of past extravagance in the face of advice Unofficial Members express aların at proposal to build further deep water quay;
(6) expresses willingness to help the Government to meet the situation and hopes that immediate steps will be taken to allow Unofficial Members to co-operate in remedial measures;
(7) expresses confidence in Elected Members;
(8) hopes for improvement in the near future if Administra- tion carried on on basis of co-operation;
(9) appeals to the good will of the local Government and liberalism of the Home Government
;
(10) affirms loyalty to His Majesty the King and attachment to His Throne and Person.
A meeting was attended by some 20,000 to 30,000 and was very orderly and quiet.
On the 2nd February 1 made a statement in the Council outlining measures of retrenchment including reorganization of Revenue Departments and levy on salaries for which Bill was introduced. Statement foreshadowed some direct taxation producing this year about Rs.450,000 and not falling on the poorer classes but did not indicate exact nature. But I had, however, explained in private meeting of Members that it would not fall on householders of houses below Rs.5,000 in value and general principle was known though not details.
On the 11th February all Unofficial Members sought interview with me for consent to hold public meeting. In reply to my questions they claimed that public feeling was greatly aroused and they feared that if they did not take this step it would be taken by others and Members of the Council would lose control of the position and leadership of the people. I expressed regret that if they had representations to make to His Majesty's Government they had not previously put them forward in form of memorial or other- wise and my anxiety as to adoption of public meeting method.
They said that the situation had developed much more quickly than they anticipated and they thought this was now the only possible step to maintain their control over the people. I agreed to meeting being held.
Following is confidential. I did not feel able to forbid meeting us it would have meant complete breach with the Council and if they had endeavoured to hold it without permission as would probably have resulted, attempt to stop it would certainly have given rise to a very dangerous and possibly serious situation. Owing to temporary indisposition I am unable to telegraph full recom- mendations to-day but I can hope to do so in a day or two.
c. 93921/32 [No. 28].
153
No. 48.
Telegram from the Governor of Mauritius to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
(Received 6.2 a.m., 19th February, 1932.)
[Answered by No. 49.]
19th February.
No. 33. Reference to my telegram No. 30. Confidential. I have discussed the position with Members of the Executive Council who are unanimously of opinion that attempts to proceed with taxation measures, in face of the present agita- tion, must inevitably lead to serious disorder. Better class are determined not to pay and to place entire burden of retrenchment on Civil Service. At the same time they would join with others in opposing any large further retrenchments of stuff which would add to unemployment. Attempt to enforce taxation feasures would probably be met by resignation of members and demand for general election which would inevitably lead to disturbances against the Government. On the other hand election could only be refused by suspension of Constitution, see Letters Putent, Section 11, which would have same result. After consulting Officer Command- ing Troops I am satisfied that forces available are insufficient to deal with such a situation and in these circumstances I doubt if much reliance could be placed on Police.
I am advised that house tax proposal would in any case give rise to much practical difficulty especially owing to taxation fall- ing on occupier. This raises difficulties in respect to monthly tenancy, assessment of apartments and flats, and premises partly utilized for business purposes. In the opinion of Procureur- General, with whom I concur, imposition of tax on town proper- ties would also make it hopeless to attempt to force Town Boards to continue operations after withdrawal of Government contribu- tion or to force Municipality to resume transferred services.
In the circumstances I am compelled to accept view that action on taxation measures and further large railway retrenchments should be slowed down pending further developments and discus- sion. Ordinance for reorganization of revenue services has passed though under protest and Bill for levy on salaries is before the Council. I think that this might be accepted by the Council as a Taxation temporary measure pending further developments. measures have not yet been placed before the Council and it is significant that agitation came to a head immediately following * C. 93921/32 [No. 24]: not printed.
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