CORRESPONDENCE

1932 to 1933

RELATING TO THE

CONSTITUTION OF MAURITIUS.

575

1

1932

1

The

Governor, No. 91

Telegram

26th May (Rec. 26th May)

2 To the Governor, Telegram

No. 100

3rd June

3 26th August

4 Colonial Office

1st November

6

Dr. E. Laurent (Legislative Council, Mauritius) to Mr. H. R. Cowell (Colonial Office)

...7th November

6 To Dr. E. Laurent

28th November

7 Dr. E. Laurent

}

30th November

Inquires whether the Secretary of State will receive u deputation from the Unofficial Members of the Council to lay facts regarding economic and financial position of the Colony. Urges favourable reply

States, in reply to No. 1, that he will be happy to receive a deputation. Suggests that October would be a con- venient time and requests summary of representations in advance of visit

Memorandum setting out the objects, and composition of

the deputation to the Secretary of State Report of reception by Secretary of State of deputation of Unofficial Members of Mauritius Council of Govern-

ment

Submita for the consideration of Secretary of State views submitted by the Senior Member for Port Louis regarding revision of the Constitution

States, in reply to No. 5, conditions on which Secretary of State would be prepared to consider proposals for redistribution of seata within the constituencies which elect Members of the Council of Government ...

Inquires, with reference to No. 6, whether it would be possible to arrange for a meeting of official delegates and representatives of Secretary of State, or if this is not possible suggests that Mr. Raffray and Mr. Leclezio might be invited to submit their views regarding the redistribution of seats

1

1

C. 93986/32 [No. 1].

No. 1.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 6.20 a.m., 26th May, 1932.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 2.]

No. 91. 26TH MAY. Unofficial members desire to send a deputation to London to lay before you economic and financial position of the Colony and to submit representa tions as to desirability of modifications in Constitution. If you are willing to receive deputation it is proposed that it should arrive in London towards end of September when it is hoped that Ottawa Conference will have been concluded. I should be glad to be informed whether you will be prepared to receive deputation and whether time proposed will be suitable.

Following is confidential.

I strongly urge that favourable reply be sent to above proposal. It is an understood condition that Income Tax Ordinance will be passed and Budget settlement arrived at before next financial year, and deputation is largely intended to save face of unofficial members with their constituents. Their proposals as to constitutional reform, however, deserve consideration in my opinion, and as at present formulated are not unreasonable. They wish me to emphasize that proposed deputation should not be regarded as movement of (? protest). Acceptance of proposal will. I think, practically assure settlement of immediate Budget difficulties.

6

C. 93986/32 [No. 3].

8 To Dr. E. Laurent

7th December

In reply to No. 7, intimates that in existing circum- stances Secretary of State must adhere to decision com- municated in No. 6

7

9 Dr. E. Laurent... 12th December

10 To Dr. E. Laurent

19th December

Comments, with reference to No. 8, on conditions on which Secretary of State is prepared to consider a redistribution of seats in the Council or Government States, in reply to No. 9, that Secretary of State cannot alter decision already communicated, but amplifies previous remarks to avoid any misconception thereof...

7

8

1933

11

To the Officer Administering

the Government, Confi- dential

5th April

12 To the Governor, No. 157

30th May

Conveys information on some of the subjects discussed between members of deputation and the technical advisers and members of the Colonial Office Transmits Letters Patent dated the 1th April, 1933, and additional Royal Instructions bearing the same date giving effect to certain constitutional changes, and

9

10

comments thereon

13 The Governor, No. 297

27th July (Rec. 4th September)

Acknowledges No. 12 and states that Letters Patent and Additional Instructions were brought into operation on 18th July. Further states that Dr. E. Laurent and Mr. J. Leclezio took their seats on the Executive Council on 21st July

12

No. 2.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Sent 7.20 p.m., 3rd June, 1932.) TELEGRAM.

No. 100. YOUR telegram No. 91.* I shall be happy to receive a deputation representing the unofficial members of the Council of Government and to discuss with them the economic and financial position of the Colony. I shall also be prepared to receive representations as to the desirability of modifications in the Constitution, although at the moment I am not inclined to regard the present time as opportune for any considerable constitutional changes. I shall probably not be in London after Ottawa until the end of September, and in view of this a date rather later than that mentioned would be convenient to receive the deputation. I suggest some time in October. Please inform unofficial members accordingly, and ask them to send in advance a summary of the representations which they propose to submit.-CUNLIFFE- LISTER.

C. 98986/32 [No. 7].

No. 3.

MEMORANDUM ON THE VARIOUS QUESTIONS FORMING THE SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE DEPUTATION.

THE unofficial members of the Council of Government at a Public Meeting held at the Champ de Mars on the 15th of February last invited the population of Mauritius

* No. 1.

། ། ༄། ། །

PUBLIC PECORD OFFICE

Reference

C.O.882/1

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHK.- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO]

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