PUBLIC RECORD
OFFICE
Reference :-
TELEC.O.885
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21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
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Sections 7 and 8 deal with the offences of unlawful absence and want of diligence and mitigate the punishments appointed for them. For a first offence only a fine can be imposed. In connection with this, note should be taken of Section 19, under which fines imposed on immigrants may be paid by instalments to be deducted by employers from wages.
Sections 10, 11, and 12 amend the law as to the apprehension of deserters, with a view to making their provisions more effective. The proposed enactments are similar to those in force in British Guiana.
Section 14 mitigates the punishment for desertion on the same principle as has been applied to cases of unlawful absence.
By making provision in Section 16 for the control of festivals and processions it is hoped to avoid the considerable heat and friction, sometimes leading to disorder, which are often occasioned by them.
In Section 17 provision is made for dealing with the important question of the education of young immigrant children.
By Section 18 the carrying on of a store by a person in authority on a plantation is forbidden.
4452
(No. 51.) SIR,
No. 46.
BRITISH GUIANA.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
In the sixth paragraph of my despatch, No. 316, of the 5th of December,
Downing Street, 27 February, 1912. 1910,* I referred to the proposals of the Committee on Emigration from India to the Crown Colonies for modifying the present system of recruiting in India by the amalgamation of the two Calcutta Agencies, and by the establishment of an Emigra- tion Agent in the United Provinces.
2. These matters have now received full consideration from the Indian Govern- ment, the Secretary of State for India, and myself; they were also fully discussed with Mr. Gibbes when he was on leave of absence last year.
It
3. The proposal for the amalgamation of the Agencies is not a new one. was under consideration in the years 1906-7, and at that date the British Guiana Planters' Association were in favour of the proposed change, while the Immigration Agent-General was opposed to it and the Governor considered that it would be of doubtful advantage. Subsequently, in communicating to me his observations on the report of Lord Sanderson's Committee, the Governor reported that he had brought the proposal before the Executive Council, that the Council advised against amalga- mation, and that he concurred in their advice, as there appeared to him to be more arguments against amalgamation than for it.
4. I presume that it is clearly understood in British Guiana that amalgamation extends only to the staff of the two Agencies, and that the two depôts would continue separate as they are at present. It is essential that the two depôts should remain separate and distinct, for it would be impossible, having regard to the difference in the terms of indentures, that coolies who have been recruited for different Colonies should be kept in one and the same depôt at the same time.
5. I have now decided, after the fullest consideration of all the interests involved, that the Agencies must be amalgamated as soon as possible. I regret hav- ing to adopt a policy which may perhaps be distasteful to a considerable body of opinion in British Guiana, but as the new arrangement is considered necessary by the Indian Government and the Secretary of State for India, it will, of course, be recognised that their views must prevail.
6. It will be seen from paragraph 81 of the Report of Lord Sanderson's Com- mittee that amalgamation was recommended by the Committee partly with a view to economy, but more particularly with a view to greater efficiency in administration, and as" obviously adapted to improve the general administration of the Colonial Emigration Department for the benefit of all the Colonies concerned." The views of the Government of India upon this question will be found in the enclosed copy of
• No. 8.
75
a despatch* which has been forwarded to me from the India Office. I shall communi- cate with you at a later date in regard to the general observations of the Indian Government upon the report of the Emigration Committee, and for the present I wish only to refer to their observations on the subject of recruiting in India, more especially those contained in paragraph 2 and paragraphs 10 to 15 of the despatch. In communicating this despatch to me the Marquess of Crewe intimated that the matters in which action appeared to him to be most necessary were those connected with the actual recruitment of labourers in India, and he advocated the amalgama- tion of the two Agencies at Calcutta, and the appointment of a responsible Emigra- tion Agent in the United Provinces. In a subsequent letter his Lordship has stated that he is "satisfied that in view of the changed conditions described in the second paragraph of the Government of India's letter, No. 30, of the 25th May last,* this step" (ie., amalgamation)" which is regarded on high authority as one leading to more economical administration and more effective supervision, must be considered to be one of great importance for the continuance of the system of recruitment."
7. It will be seen from the above that the proposal for the amalgamation of the Agencies is urged as part of a general scheme for improving the arrangements in India and modifying the objections to the present system of recruiting, which threaten to endanger the whole system of oversea indentured emigration from India. It is chiefly on this account that have felt it my duty to acquiesce in the wishes
of the Indian authorities, and to override the objections which have been raised in British Guiana and Trinidad, though I confess that I also attach importance to the arguments in favour of amalgamation which were brought forward when the matter was previously discussed, viz., that competition between the Agencies is undesirable, and tends to increase expense, to lower the dignity and status of the Agents, and to cast discredit upon the whole system.
8. The establishment of a joint agency should result in considerable reduction in the cost of the establishments in India, and as the Emigration Agents hope that it will be possible to arrange for the despatch of joint ship-loads, especially in the case of British Guiana and Trinidad, it appears to me that the new arrangements should lead to economy in the cost of transportation, and should prove advantageous to both Colonies.
9. The Indian Government has been informed that I agree to the amalgamation of the Agencies, and a communication to the like effect will shortly be made to the Emigration Agents at Calcutta. I am at present considering the rearrangement of the personnel of the Agencies which this change necessitates, and I will communicate with you further on the subject as soon as I am in a position to do so.
4452
SIR,
No. 47. TRINIDAD..
I have, &c.,
L. HARCOURT.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
(No. 77.)
IN the fourth paragraph of my despatch, No. 369, of the 5th of December,
Downing Street, 27th February, 1912. 1910,† I referred to the proposals of the Committee on Emigration from India to the Crown Colonies for modifying the present system of recuiting in India by the amalgamation of the two Calcutta Agencies and by the establishment of an Emigra- tion Agent in the United Provinces.
2. These matters have now received full consideration from the Indian Govern- ment, the Secretary of State for India, and myself, they were also fully discussed with Mr. Gibbes, the Emigration Agent at Calcutta for British Guiana, who was on leave in this country last year.
3. The proposal for the amalgamation of the Agencies is not a new one. was under consideration in the years 1906-7, and I again communicated with you on the subject
It connection with the recommendations made by Lord Sanderson's Committee. In doing so. I indicated my recognition of the fact that the change
† No. 6.
• Enclosure I in No. 39.