29771/25.
11
No. 5.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 1st July, 1925.)
300
(No. 257.)
SIR,
[Answered by No. 6.]
Government House, Port Louis, 16th May, 1925. I HAVE the honour to transmit, for your information, the accompanying copy of a motion for the amendment of the Constitution of the Legislative Council of Mauritius, which was moved by the Honourable G. E. Nairac, Senior Member for Port Louis, at a meeting of the Council of Government held on the 28th April last. A copy of the record of the debate, including Mr. Nairac's speech in moving the motion, is also attached.
I have, &c.,
H. J. READ,
Governor.
THE GOVERNOR (9 THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 1.25 p.m., 15th April, 1925.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 4.]
LTH APRIL. Confidential. Your despatch of 29th May, 1924, Confidential.* At a public meeting held in Port Louis by Revision Committee on 16th March last at which, according to report from the police, about 200 were present, following resolution was passed:-Quotation begins: This meeting is of opinion that the Constitution granted This meeting in 1885 is not in accord with present political conditions of this Colony considers that such constitution should be modified with a view to ensuring prepon- Reserve derance of the Unofficial element in the Legislative Council subject to a Power being vested in the Governor of overriding majority vote of the Legislative Council in questions certified by the Governor to be of paramount importance.
This meeting is further of opinion that the stipulation contained in the resolution of the Joint Committee of the Elected Members of the Council and delegates of the Revision Committee will afford a satisfactory basis for representations to be forwarded to His Excellency the Governor for transmission to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies and hopes that amended constitution may be put into force in (2) time for the general election to be held in January, 1926.-Quotation ends.
Resolution of Joint Committee referred to will be forwarded by despatch.
At meeting of Legislative Council held on 31st March last the Senior Member for Port Louis gave notice that at meeting of the Council to be held on 28th April instant he would move: "That His Majesty's Secretary of State be approached with a view to amendment of Constitution."
Would be glad to receive your instructions as to whether Official Members of Council should be allowed to take part in discussions or in any divisions which might take place.-READ.
17217/25.
No. 4.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Sent 3.15 p.m., 20th April, 1925.)
TELEGRAM.
CONFIDENTIAL. Your telegram of 15th April. When the resolutions on constitutional reform are before the Council, I suggest that Official Members should It should be made take part in the discussion at their discretion but should not vote. clear that I desire to give full consideration to opinions of Unofficial Members, but that I shall obtain from you at the same time an expression of your views on each resolution.
-AMERY.
* No. 2.
† No. 3.
Enclosure in No. 5.
EXTRACT FROM DEBATES NO. 22 of 1924-25.
Meeting of Tuesday, 28th April, 1925.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE Council. Motion of the Honourable the Senior Member for Port Louis (Mr. Nairac):—
(1) This Council is of opinion that it is necessary to amend the Constitution of the Legislative Council of Mauritius so as to ensure a more extensive representation of the community and give it a larger share in the management of the affairs of this Colony.
(2) The Council would in consequence recommend the following amendments for
the consideration of His Majesty's Secretary of State :-
(a) That six Unofficial Nominated Members be appointed by the Governor with a free vote and be chosen to represent as far as possible all the sections of the community;
(b) That twelve Official Members he appointed;
(c) That there should be twelve Elected Members, no change being brought
to existing districts except that three members be elected for Port Louis and two for Plaines Wilhems;
(d) That the decision of the majority be the decision of the Council except for such questions of paramount importance as the Governor would think fit
to reserve for the decision of the Secretary of State;
(e) That the initiative in financial matters be left to the Governor;
That a clause be inserted between sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) of
para- graph 4 of Article XXI, of Letters Patent of 11th September, 1913, creating a new qualification to the effect following: " the owner of shares in landed property or factories in the rural districts, of face value of Rs.3,000, inscribed in the registers of the Company or Partnership twelve months before his regis- tration as an elector, shall have a vote in the district where is situated the property of the Company or Partnership of which he is a shareholder
(g) That the Senior Member of the Council be appointed by the vote of his colleagues.
29771/25.
No. 6.
:
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. [Answered by No. 7.]
(Confidential.)
SIR,
Downing Street, 15th July, 1925.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 257 of the 16th of May,† transmitting a copy of a motion for the amendment of the Constitution of
*Not printed here.
† No. 5.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TILICO. 882/11
سائنساس
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON: