EUROPEAN WAR.
CORRESPONDENCE
RELATING TO THE
MEASURES TAKEN IN THE COLONIES AND
PROTECTORATES ON THE THE EUROPEAN WAR, 1914.
OUTBREAK
OF
32654
BAHAMAS.
No. 1.
T།།།།
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
· Reference —
885
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 28th August, 1914.)
(Confidential)
SIR,
Government House, Bahamas, 13th August, 1914. I HAVE the honour to report that, in accordance with paragraph 20 of the Oversea Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence Memorandum No. 470, I summoned the Legislature to meet on the 7th instant. I attach copies of my speeches* at the opening of the Legislature on the 7th August, 1914, and when prorogued the Legislature next day. I also forward an address* which I received from the House of Assembly on the 8th August, 1914.
2. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure, copies of two Acts. I have assented to both of them, and enclose the Attorney-General's report on each.
(a) An Act to enable the Governor to issue Proclamations on instructions from the Secretary of State and to give legal effect to the same, and for other purposes.
The Attorney-General, when drafting the Bill, was anxious to state more fully the reasons for the various Proclamations. In my opinion, this was unneces- sary, and I thought it far wiser that the Act should be wide and cover any Proclamation issued by the Governor under instructions from the Secretary of State. Mr. Durrant feared that the House would never accept such a Bill. I pleased to report that the Bill passed the House without a single dissentient speech
or vote.
am
(b) An Act to enable the Governor in Council to make provision for affording relief in case of any emergency arising from a state of war. The Attorney-General's report explains the necessity for this legislation. 3. Owing to the presence of the German cruiser "Dresden" in these waters (she was lying off the Berry Islands) there was a slight display of excitement among the nervous members of the community, and a slight rush on the banks. In order to allay any anxiety, I thought it advisable to address the public after I had opened the Legislature. I attach a copy of one of the local papers,‡ with my speech, which, am glad to report, has had the desired effect.
I have, &c.,
G. B. HADDON-SMITH,
↑ Not reprinted: 5 George V., chapters 1 and 2.
* Not printed.
The Nassau Guardian, 8th August, 1914.
Governor.