576
UUBLIC
PECORD OFFICE
Peference -
ཙན།་
TC.O.882/12
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
2
to vote a number of resolutions calling the attention of the Secretary of State for the Colonies-
to the inability of the inhabitants to bear additional taxation under the existing conditions of the sugar market;
to the financial difficulties of the Colony due to a great extent to the adminis- tration of the Colony during the previous years;
to the necessity of a revision of the Constitution in order that the unofficial members should have more efficient control over the expenditure of the Colony.
The action taken by the unofficial members had been rendered necessary in their view, by the financial conditions of the Colony at the time, which caused the gravest anxiety to the unofficial members.
The unofficial members did not consider that the Government were taking any steps to meet the situation and to reduce effectively the expenditure of the Colony which during the five previous years had greatly exceeded the revenue every year: deficit for the year 1930-1931 having reached nearly Rs. 4,000,000.
the
The Civil Service for instance was still being paid the same salaries which had obtained in years of great abnormal prosperity, the heads of expenditure for personal emoluments and pensions absorbing practically half the revenue of the Colony.
The communication of the Resolution voted at the Public Meeting to the Secretary
of State resulted in an exchange of telegraphic correspondence between the Secretary
of State and the unofficial members, which have been made public.
"
The unofficial members have clearly realized that the action taken by them and their views on the financial situation of the Colony has given rise to some misunder- standing at the Colonial Office.
On the question of measures of further taxation in the Colony, the Secretary of State has impressed upon the unofficial members that the Colony would have to submit to new taxation in order to avoid the passing by the direct financial control of the Colony from the Mauritius Government to His Majesty's Government.
The unofficial members and the Colony have responded to the call of the Secretary
of State and new taxation has been voted to balance the Budget of the Colony.
The unofficial members are not satisfied, notwithstanding such facts, that the direct financial control of the Colony is not being exercised to an appreciable extent by the Home Government.
The Secretary of State has also made it clear in his telegram that a revision of the Constitution of the Colony could not very properly be discussed by telegrams and repre- sentations on the question would have to be made in precise and detailed form and that the reasons for such revision would have to be fully reviewed.
The Report of the Commissioners who had visited Mauritius from August to October, 1931, as one of the conditions imposed for the granting of the loan to the Planters to help them to recover the losses due to the 1931 cyclone, was made public in Mauritius at about the same time as the Public Meeting held in February last.
The unofficial members consider that some of the recommendations of the Com- missioners are open to criticism and if left unexplained might leave some very unfavourable impression of the Colony on the Colonial Office.
The earnest consideration of the above points have convinced the unofficial members that it would be highly desirable that a Deputation be sent to London with the main object of fully discussing with the Secretary of State and the permanent staff of the Colonial Office the questions above referred to.
The Deputation would at the same time avail itself of the opportunity of submitting and discussing various economic and material questions of considerable importance to this Island. In arriving at such a decision the unofficial members feel that they have the whole-hearted support of the entire population, who has both in the Press and in many circles repeatedly urged upon the unofficial members the necessity of such a course in the interest of the welfare and prosperity of their country.
The Secretary of State has been approached on the matter and has kindly informed His Excellency the Governor that he would be pleased to receive a Deputation from the Colony on or after the month of October next.
The unofficial members are unanimously agreed that the following programmie should constitute, in conjunction with the points already referred to, the main object of the Deputation:
(1) To lay before the Secretary of State the present financial position of the
Colony and the measures to be taken to remedy such situation.
3
(2) To discuss the subject of the revision of the present Constitutions upon the
following basis :-
(a) two-thirds at least of the nominated members to be persons not holding
any office in the Public Service;
(b) the appointment of such nominated members to be complementary to the results of the election so as to ensure representation of the various classes of the population in the Council of Government;
(c) the nominated members to have a free vote;
(d) the vote of a majority of the unofficial members not to be over-ridden by
(e)
other votes in questions of strict local interest;
two elected members of the Council to form part of the Executive Council.
(3) To lay stress on the vital importance of the sugar industry in the economic
life of the Colony and to submit means to support the said industry
(4) To obtain adequate measures of protection for secondary industries
susceptible of development in the Island.
(5) To set forth the dangerous consequences of the unfavourable commercial
balance of the Colony and to suggest means to remedy the same.
(6) To recommend all measures likely to alleviate the labour problem which
affects particularly the working classes.
(7) To call attention to the increasing death-rate of the Colony and to obtain assistance from the Home Government to improve the sanitary conditions with special reference to the anti-malarial works.
The unofficial members are unanimously of opinion that the Deputation should consist of the following members as being fully representative of all sections of the population and of the various interests of the Colony
The Hon. Dr. Edgar Laurent, Senior Member of the Legislative Council and of
Port Louis.
The Hon. Philippe Raffray, K.C., Member for Black River.
The Hon. Jules Leclezio, Member for Moka, President of the Chamber of
Agriculture, President of the Mauritius Commercial Bank.
The Hon. Rajcoomar Gujadhur, Nominated Member of the Council, Trader and
Planter.
Captain H. G. Hitchcock, M.B.E., General Manager of the Anglo-Ceylon Sugar
Estates Co. Ltd.
26th August, 1932.
C. 93986/32 [No. 22].
No. 4.
REPORT OF RECEPTION BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE DEPUTATION OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE MAURITIUS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT.
THE Right Honourable Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister, G.B.E., M.C., M.P., Secretary of State for the Colonies, received the deputation at the Colonial Office at 11 a.m. on the 1st of November, 1932. Sir Wilfred Jackson, K.C.M.G., Governor of Mauritius, introduced the members of the deputation: Dr. E. Laurent, Mr. J. P. Raffray, Mr. R. Gujadhur, and Mr. J. Leclezio. Sir W. Jackson then withdrew. There were also present the Earl of Plymouth, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, Sir J. E. Shuckburgh, K.C.M.G., C.B., Acting Permanent Under- Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr. H. R. Cowell, C.M.G., Mr. S. Caine, and Mr. F. R. W. Jameson, M.C., of the Colonial Office.
DR. LAURENT referred to the memoranda submitted by the deputation, which summarized their views. These were further explained by Mr. Raffray as regards the constitutional question, and by Mr. Leclezio as regards the questions of currency and external trade.
The circumstances of the past which had given rise to the proposals made by the unofficial members of Council were fully reviewed and the need for reforms explained. A number of points of detail which arose were discussed and elucidated.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE, in replying to the deputation, first explained that he had no wish to go into past history or to apportion any blame for present difficulties. He assured the deputation of his sympathy and support for any practical measures to improve conditions in Mauritius, as a part of the Colonial Empire. He referred to