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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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252*

4. This is especially important in view of the fact that the estimates show a deficit which there are no funds to meet.

I have, &c.,

W. F. RUSSELL,

Acting Assistant Colonial Secretary.

His Worship

The Mayor of Port Louis.

Enclosure 3 in No..193.

DIR,

(No. 6104/04.)

Colonial Secretary's Office, Port Louis, July 1, 1004.

I AM directed by the Officer Administering the Government to inform you that, in view of the financial position of the Colony, the extra grants hitherto made to Local Boards will not be repeated in next year's estimates.

The Chairman,

Quatre Bornes Board.

The Chairman,

Beau Bassin and Rose Hill Board.

SIR,

(No. 6104/04.)

I have, &c.,

W. F. RUSSELL,

Acting Assistant Colonial Secretary.

Enclosure 4 in No. 193.

July 1, 1904.

I AM directed by the Officer Administering the Government to inform you that, in consequence of the financial position of the Colony, the usual grant to the Mahe- sourg Yacht Club for races will not be made this year.

I have, &c.,

W. F. RUSSELL,

Acting Assistant Colonial Secretary.

The Chairman,

Mahebourg Yacht Club.

Enclosure 5 in No. 193.

SIR,

(No. 6086/04.)

Colonial Secretary's Office, Port Louis, July 2, 1904.

I AM directed by the Officer Administering the Government to acknowledge the recipt of your letter of the 1st instant, and to inform you, in reply, that, on application at this Office, the sum of Rs. 2,500 as a contribution to the Mauritius Turf

lub will be paid to you.

2. I am to add that, in view of the financial position of the Colony, His Honour can hold out no hope that there will be any grant next year.

The Secretary,

27539

Mauritius Turf Club.

(Secret.)

SIR,

No. 194.

I have, &c.,

W. F. RUSSELL,

Acting Assistant Colonial Secretary.

ACTING GOVERNOR SIR G. BOWER to MR. LYTTELTON.

(Received August 5, 1904.)

[Answered by No. 213.]

Government House, Mauritius, July

1904.

J

IN my public despatch, No. 236, of the 1st July,* I have forwarded to you

• No. 191..

253

papers connected with the events which have led to the rejection by the Council of Government of the Ordinance introduced for the purpose of producing equilibrium in the budget.

2. It will be noticed that on this question the unofficial vote was unanimous, and that the Government were defeated by a majority of two. This illustrates clearly one of the undoubted defects of the Constitution, namely, the divorce of power and responsibility. The power rests with the unofficial majority of the Council, the respon- sibility rests with the Government.

3. But although I think it right to note the defect which is inherent in all Constitutions such as that of Mauritius, a defect which from time to time has made itself conspicuous in other Colonies with similar representative institutions, I do not advocate any change in the existing Constitution. To withdraw a privilege once granted must always be an invidious task, and can only be justified by the most conspicuous necessity..

4. The crisis which has occurred has been foreseen for some time. Indeed, the unofficial members made no secret of their attitude in respect to the question of taxation, and at one time I considered it possible that, in the event of a refusal of the taxation necessary to balance the budget, it might be necessary for me to suggest the appointment of a Royal Commission, which would have power to advise on the financial position of the Colony.

5. But although in confidential conversation with members I have hinted at the possibility of the appointment of such a Commission, I have never committed myself to such a proposal, nor do I now recommend it.

8. My reasons are as follows:-

(1) A Royal Commission would impose an additional expenditure, at a time

when the finances of the Colony are already embarrassed.

(2) From the tone adopted by the press and unofficial members in public and private utterances, it is evident that such a Commission would give rise to much recrimination. It is now clear to me that if such a Com- mission were appointed the unofficial members would seek to place the responsibility for the present financial position on the Government and the Colonial Office. It would be urged that no expenditure and no increase of establishments can be effected without the consent of the Governor and the Secretary of State. It would be urged that such increases have in some cases been made against the wish of the unofficial members, and on the initiative of the Government; but whether the initiative did or did not originate with the Government the responsibility must rest with the Governor and the Secretary of State.

7. This would be the nature of the case submitted to a Royal Commission by

the unofficial members. It would be supported by them personally, and probably with the assistance of the evidence of some public officers.

8. Ultimately the enquiry would degenerate into an attack by the unofficials

on the administration of past Governors and of the Colonial Office.

9. It is unnecessary for me to say that the past Governors and the Secretaries of State would be defended by the Governor or by myself, but it is doubtful if the Mauritian officials would adopt the same tone of conduct, and the result would be that the Commission would have to waste much time in listening to recrimination or to accusation and counter accusation.

10. For all these reasons I am now satisfied that the appointment of a Royal Commission would be a mistake, and though I was at one time in favour of such a step, I now deprecate it.

11. But if I deprecate what may be described as strong measures, I do not recommend that the action of the Council of Government should pass unnoticed. I advise that the Council of Government be informed:-

(1) That no further loans will be sanctioned until the budget has been balanced,

and that this statement includes the re-afforestation loan.

(2) That His Majesty's Government, whilst anxious to respect the Constitution conferred on Mauritius, cannot but notice that the existing institutions have failed in the most important function of government, namely, that of establishing equilibrium in the finances.

12. I am of opinion that these two intimations would be sufficient in the first instance, and that the next step might well stand over until it was seen what effect they had produced.