CO882-(8-9) — Page 284

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TILLLC.O. 882

سلنا

9

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

SIR,

Enclosure 1 in No. 71.

Port Louis, 56, Corderie Street, June 29th, 1908. I HAVE the honour to forward to Your Excellency a copy of the resolutions put and carried at the meeting held on the Champ-de-Mars, on Sunday 28th instant.

The first resolution was proposed by the 'resident and seconded by cheers from the whole assembly, whilst the band was playing "God Save the King." It runs

thus:-

15

La population Mauricienne (25,000 environ) assemblée au Champ-de- Mars pour accomplir un devoir. tient à offrir à Sa Majesté le Roi l'assurance de sa loyauté et de son dévouement à Sa Personne et à Sun Trône."

The second resolution was proposed by the Senior Member for Port Louis and also Mayor of that town, and seconded by E. Nairac, Esqre., Barrister-at-law. It is worded as follows:--

2°. "La population, Mauricienne est d'opinion qu'un emprunt est indis- pensable pour sauver cette Colonie d'une ruine imminente et pour l'aider a 'créer une Banque d'Etat pour venir en aide à tous les planteurs grands et petits. Elle considère aussi qu'un emprunt est nécessaire pour exécuter le plus tôt possible des travaux d'utilité publique."

This resolution was put by the Chairman and carried unanimously amidst great enthusiasm.

The third resolution was proposed by Dr. Guibert, Municipal Councillor, and Seconded by R. Mérandon, Esqre.. Barrister-at-law. The text of the said resolution stands thus:

3°

L'Assemblée désavoue la résolution votée par le Conseil Législatif en sa séance du 23 Avril dernier, et fait ressortir respectueusement la nécessité de la nomination de la Commission d'Enquête suggérée par le Secrétaire d'Etat pour les Colonies dans sa dépêche au Gouverneur." Mr. de Boucherville spoke also on the third resolution.

This resolution was put by the Chairman and carried unanimously with shouts of "démission," "" démission."

Mr. Dowson, a very active member of the Committee of "Action Libérale," then gave to the assembly an account of his journey in a van drawn by four bullocks to the remotest villages of the country, and reported that Mr. Mérandon and himself met with a warm reception everywhere.

Mr. Mehta, a Parsee merchant, spoke on the beneficial effects of Land Govern- ment Bank in India. He expressed himself in English.

Mr. Lallah, an influential Indian, delivered a lengthy speech in Hindi, which was highly appreciated by the numerous Indian planters who were present at the meeting.

A vote of thanks to the President was proposed by Mr. Nairac and seconded by Mr. de Boucherville. It was carried amidst loud cheers.

The meeting was then dissolved by the President at 3.25 p.m.

I have, &c.,

A. E. LAURENT,

President of the Meeting.

Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over

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

Mauritius and its Dependencies,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.

Translation of the Resolutions put and carried at the meeting held on the Champ-de-Mars on Sunday, 28th June, 1908.

1. The people of Mauritius, assembled on the Champ-de-Mars, beg to offer to His Majesty, through your Lordship, the assurance of their loyalty and attach- ment to His Person and to His Throne.

2. The people of Mauritius are of opinion that a loan is indispensable to save their Colony from impending ruin and to help them to start a land Government bank for the working expenses of all planters big and small.

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They also consider that a loan is necessary to carry out as soon as possible works of public utility.

3. The Assembly disown the resolutions voted by the Legislative Council at its sitting of 23rd April last, and respectfully urge the necessity of the appointment of the Commission of Enquiry as suggested by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in his despatch to the Governor.

29966

(Secret.)

MY LORD,

No. 72.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 15 August, 1908.)

168, 29 May.

177, 12 June.

184, 23 June.

Government House, Le Réduit, 15 July, 1908. In the numbered despatches noted in the margin,* I have reported on four public meetings which have been held recently in sup- port of the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry, and of a loan to be raised for the purpose of assisting the industry, of the Colony; and I now have the honour to transmit, for your Lordship's information, an extract from the Minutes of the Executive Council, which contains a statement of my action in connexion with the last of such meetings and in receiving the resolutions then adopted.

198, 4 July.

2. The movement, in which only one Member of the Legislature has taken any part, has, I regret to observe, assumed a race character, and promises have been held out to the Indian and Creole portions of the population inducing them to believe that a Commission of Enquiry would secure to them cheapened food supplies and unlimited borrowing facilities.

3. Although no actual breach of the peace has occurred at any of the meetings, there can be no doubt that strong feelings have been aroused amongst the susceptible and uneducated portion of the community; and in the non-realisation, or even in the postponement of the hopes which have been inspired, there will be cause for discontent, followed, possibly, by acts of a disturbing and disorderly character, if the agitation continues.

4. The section of the local Press which supports the promoters of the move. ment, namely, the "Cernéen," the "Vrai Progrés Colonial," and the "Petit Journal,” daily, and the " Croix du Dimanche," weekly, newspapers, has adopted an attitude persistently condemning the action taken by an overwhelming majority in the Legis lature with regard to the Commission of Enquiry. That attitude by itself would call for no special notice, but at the same time attacks are directed against the leading members of the resident white population, whom the writers are pleased to describe as "the oligarchy," and attempts are made to incite the passions of the coloured Creoles as well as of the Indian inhabitants against them.

5. The enclosures accompanying my last-quoted despatch give as full informa- tion as I have finally been able to obtain with regard to the composition of the several meetings; and it is a significant fact that no attempt has been made by the promoters of the movement to furnish any list of the names of those supporting their views and resolutions, nor have they adopted the more regular and constitutional procedure of addressing themselves by way of petition either to the Legislature or to the Executive of the Colony.

6. It is consequently difficult to arrive at any definite conclusion as to the numbers of the electorate, or, indeed, of the educated portion of the community who may disagree with the conduct of their representatives in the Legislature, or who may really favour the objects of the movement. I can only therefore submit the opinion which I have formed, and which is shared by my advisers, that the majority of those attending the meetings either were unable to form a proper judgment on the questions put before them, or were led away by the inducements held out to them; and that many of them, if similar tactics were adopted by those opposed to the movement, would gather round, and give their voices in support of, the latest speaker. 7. In their interview with me on the 29th of June, Dr. Laurent and Mr. de Boucherville dwelt on the feeling which they declared to be prevalent that I have

• Nos. 63, 67, 68, and 71.