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my cipher telegram of 31 March,* of the Unofficial Members eleven, including all the nominees, are opposed to a Commission and three are in favour of it.

It was not possible to keep the matter confidential, and their views are being sent on clair, together with resolution of Chamber of Agriculture and of meeting of about 500 called by Dr. Laurent.

If you are not prepared to sanction the request of the majority of the Unofficial Members, I propose to put the matter as an open question before the Council of Government at once.

Please let me have instructions as soon as possible by telegraph.-BOYLE.

45

Fourth, resolution to the following effect at public meeting at Port Louis:-

"People of Port Louis assembled in public meeting press for loan because they consider that it alone can save the country, and that should Secre- tary State think that only Commission of Enquiry could enlighten him completely, are prepared to contribute their share towards expenses. That should Commission be appointed they would ask that it should make independent enquiry into administrative condition of Colony generally, and especially with view to ascertain whether economies in administration are possible and sources of revenue can be made more productive."

13130

---BOYLE.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference

TTIC.O. 882

mím

9

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

No. 46.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 5.45 p.m., 11 April, 1908.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 47.]

11 April. No. 2. Following is text of views of Unofficial Members of Council and resolution mentioned in my telegram No. 1 of to-day. First, eleven Unofficial Members of Council submit:--

With due deference to Secretary of State, we see no reason to invite appoint- ment of Commission of Enquiry. Without saying anything regarding cost, which must in any circumstances be pretty heavy and which Colony in present financial position is not in position to bear, such enquiry is not, in our humble opinion, called for, and besides, applica- tion for loan requires early solution and cannot be made to await result of suggested enquiry. We therefore beg Secretary of State be pleased to consider favourably measure of relief suggested by Chamber of Agriculture, or at all events to allow £200,000 as applied for by Council of Government last year to be put at once at disposal of planters for the wants of their estates. We consequently ask that Secretary State be informed accordingly."

Secondly, three Unofficial Members of Council submit:-

"Considering that it is absolutely necessary in public interest that Secretary State should sanction loan applied for at meeting Chamber Agricul- ture 11th ultimo, we are desirous, as always, of giving all information tending to achieve that end. Considering that such information as already forwarded is deemed by Secretary State insufficient for pur- pose in view, we, asserting our full confidence and belief in future of sugar industry, provided it be given cheap money, have no objection to appointment of Commission of Enquiry-main object of which will be to enquire and repart upon possibility of granting assistance to Colony, which has always faced its liabilities regularly and punctually."

Third, resolution of Chamber Agriculture:-

"La Chambre après avoir pris connaissance de la communication faite par son Excellence le Gouverneur aux membres inofficiels du Conseil du Gouvernement désire enregistrer le désappointement que lui a causé la dépêche de Lord Elgin. Elle a conscience d'avoir honnêtement fourni au Secrétaire d'Etat tous les renseignements nécessaires pour l'éclairer sur le bien fondé de sa demande et considère que la nomina- tion de la commission dont parle Lord Elgin constitue un manque de confiance injustifié à son égard. Elle maintient que l'emprunt qu'elle a demandé est indispensable tout au moins la somme de deux cents mille livres qui serait immédiatement appliquée aux besoins de la culture, mais si dans l'opinion de Lord Elgin une enquête est néces- saire la Chambre ne la craint pas."

* Nos. 42, 44, and 43. -

↑ No. 16.

‡ No. 45.

13129

No. 47.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Sent 12.10 p.m., 15 April, 1908.)

(Paraphrase.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by Nos. 49 and 54.]

Your telegrams of 11 April.* I am unable to add anything to my previous communications. You should accordingly bring matter before Council of Govern-

ment.-ELGIN.

13478

(No. 79.)

MY LORD,

No. 48.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 16 April, 1908.)

Government House, Port Louis, 12 March, 1908.

WITH reference to the telegraphic correspondence noted in the margin, I

Governor, 2 March

Secretary of State, 4 March. Governor, 9 March, 1908.

regret to be unable to furnish by the outgoing mail a detailed report on the recent storm and its effects.

J

2. The information which I have called for as to the damage done to house- property and growing crops is being gradually received, but as yet it is not suffi- ciently complete for the formulation of a reliable estimate of the position.

3. In the meantime, endeavour is being made to meet the temporary wants of sufferers who are unable to help themselves, without having immediate recourse to funds held in reserve; but, as I have already stated, there is much distress, which, originating from causes apart from the storm, has been largely increased thereby, and I fear that the provision for adequate relief cannot be found within the present means of public revenue or private resource.

4. It would seem to be unnecessary herein to dwell upon the often reiterated tale of the Colony's dependence upon the staple industry, but the failures which have already occurred have had a marked effect upon the position, impeding the necessary financial operations during the entre coupe, and giving cause for grave anxiety as to the future of the many thousands of working people who will inevit- ably be thrown out of employment, and will assuredly be bereft of their ordinary subsistence if means for carrying on the work of the estates are not available.

5. It may be held, I believe that it is held, that the liquidation of estates, or in other words the failure and disappearance from the trade of many of those now engaged therein should not, and will not, affect the well-being of the community as a whole, and that means will be forthcoming to work the properties economically and profitably, either in sequestration or after sale. I am entirely unable to accept that view; for recent events have borne evidence to the increasing difficulty which is experienced in finding the amounte necessary for the first-mentioned operation, and there is nothing to show, and there is no attempt made to show, that means would be forthcoming for the purchase, outright, and the uninterrupted working, of estates forced to sale.

Nos. 45 and 46.

↑ Nos. 29, 30, and 34.