CO882-(8-9) — Page 273

No. 57.

56

Chamber of Agriculture on the 11th day of March last, we are desirous, as we have always been, of giving all information which will tend to achieve that end.

Considering that such information as had been forwarded to the Secretary of State is by him deemed insufficient for the purpose we have in view, we, asserting our full confidence and belief in the future of the sugar-cane industry, provided it be given cheap money, have no objection to the appointment of a Commission of the possibility Enquiry, whose main object will be to enquire into, and report upon, of granting assistance to a Colony that has always faced its liabilities with regularity and punctuality.

Voted by:

The Honourable Dr, E. Laurent.

The Honourable G. Gébert.

The Honourable J. A. Duclos.

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No. 56.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Sent 4.15 p.m., 21 May, 1908.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 61.]

Your telegram of 15 May.* The rate was fixed at 10 per cent. not merely

to secure early repayment but also to discourage such applications and prevent the Bank from making a profit. I am unable to agree to any reduction.-CREWE.

18601

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

་། ། ་། ་། ་།

6|

Reference :-

C.O. 882

6

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

Enclosure 4 in No. 55.

RESOLUTION of the Chamber of Agriculture, 8th April, 1908.

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 renseigne- ments nécessaires pour l'éclairer sur le bien fondé de sa demande et considère que la nomination 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 £200,000 qui serait immédiatement appliquée aux besoins de la culture, mais si, dans l'opinion de Lord Elgin, une enquête est nécessaire, la Chambre ne la craint pas.

SIR,

Enclosure 5 in No. 55.

Port Louis, April 10, 1908. I HAVE the honour to forward to Your Excellency a copy of the resolutions which were submitted and voted unanimously at a meeting at which I presided, and which was held at the theatre by the Honourable Dr. Laurent.

RESOLUTION.

I have, &c.,

E. FLORIGNY.

1. The people of Port Louis assembled to-day in a public meeting press for the loan because they consider that it alone can save the country, and that should the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies think that a Commis- sion of Enquiry only could enlighten him completely, they are prepared to contribute their share towards expenses.

2. That should a Commission be appointed, the people of Port Louis would ask that it should make an independent enquiry into the administrative conditions of the Colony generally, and especially with a view to determining whether economies in the administration are possible, and whether the sources of revenue can be made more productive.

To Sir Cavendish Boyle, K.C.M.G.,

Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Mauritius and its Dependencies,

&c.,

&c.. &c.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE

(Received 23 May, 1908.)

[Answered by No. 65.]

(No. 130.) MY LORD,

Government House, Port Louis, 25 April, 1908. In continuation of my despatch, No. 108, of the 11th current,f I have the honour to report that the Legislature was summoned to meet in Special Session on the 23rd in order that I might bring the question of the appointment of a Com- mission of Enquiry before the Council as a whole in accordance with the desire expressed in your telegram of the 15th of this month.

2. As I have already informed you by telegraph the result of the reference was a resolution carried by a majority of 23 to 3 to the effect that the Council does not feel justified in inviting the appointment of a Commission at the present

time.

3. The Council was complete with the exception of one vacancy amongst the Unofficial Nominees caused by the resignation of Mr. L. Antelme; Dr. Edwards, whose nomination to supply that vacancy has been approved, not having as yet taken his seat. In the majority were seven Elected Members, four Unofficial Nominated Members, and all the Official Members; the latter, as I have already reported, being allowed free discretion in giving their votes on the

question. The minority consisted of three Elected Members: Messrs. Duclos and Gébert, and Dr. Laurent.

4. I transmit a printed copy of the Message which I addressed to the Members on issuing the summone for their attendance at the meeting, together with a manu- script copy of the minutes of the proceedings containing the resolution proposed by the Member for Moka, Mr. Leclezio (and carried), and an amendment proposed by the Member for Flacq, Mr. Duclos, and supported by Mr. Gébert, Member for Grand Port, and Dr. Laurent, Member for Port Louis (and lost); as well as a manu- script copy of the remarks which I addressed to the Council at the opening of the sitting.

5. The report of the debate which took place on the question is not yet in print, but this will follow as soon as possible.

Enclosure 1 in No. 57.

I have, &c.,

CAVENDISH BOYLE.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR TO THE HONOURable MembERS OF THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT.

In continuation of telegraphic correspondence with the Secretary of State on the subject of a proposed loan to effect advances in aid to sugar estate owners which was communicated to the Council of Government before the end of the Session of 1907, a despatch was received from His Lordship and made public after proroga- tion. Subsequently the Island was visited by a succession of wind storms culminat-

• No. 5%.

* No. 47.

§ See No. 49.

↑ No. 55.

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