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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

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

9PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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one joint-stock undertaking, nothing is offered in support of this assertion nor of the attendant allegation as to a lack of open and fair competition in trade, and I have yet to learn that the position is productive of any curable evil, that it is not common to all communities, or that any State has taken, or would desire to take, power to curtail individual freedom of action in such respect.

16. If, as is asserted in their final paragraph, the memorialists, or any other member or section of the community, are indeed unable to expose their grievances or to offer proof that they exist, except to especially appointed commissioners of enquiry; if methods can be found thereby, and only thereby, for preventing the many difficulties besetting the Colony and its administration during recurrent seasons of commercial and agricultural depression, and under conditions of climatic disaster, if means can be secured for placing the industry on a sound and satis factory basis; if the problem of how to secure greater economy in administration and larger production in the sources of revenue it is not a problem of yesterday's setting can be finally solved, I do not think that a voice would be raised in the Legislature, or indeed in the community, against such appointment. But the condi- tions under which the proposal was made to the Council, and the reasons given for not accepting it at the time, have not, I think, been taken into account in the memorial; and the statement therein that a blow has been aimed at the vital Interests and legitimate prospects of the Colony lacks substantiation.

17. Without questioning the right of any individual, or body of individuals, to represent their views, neither my advisers nor I can find cause to approve the methods adopted by the memorialists, tending, as I fear they have done, to create racial dissension, and giving voice to accusations of a most serious nature unsup- ported by any evidence."

18. Regular and constitutional courses were, and still are, open to them. They could approach the Legislature or they could address your Lordship by way of petition bearing the signatures of those who may support them or whom they may really represent. In adopting either alternative they would be assured of obtaining full consideration. Unless, or until, they do so, it cannot be ascertained to what extent their views are shared by the community, and, failing such action, I can only hold with my advisers that there is no reason for believing that the people of the Colony disapproved the attitude taken by an overwhelming majority when the question was considered in the Legislature; and I am unable to endorse the appeal as it has been made and submitted by the memorialists.

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I have, &c.,

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3. I also transmit a copy of a minute on the subject which I have received from the Colonial Secretary. Sir Graham Bower refers to a motion which he had drafted, and which he purposed to move on the 23rd of April last, when the question of the Commission of "Enquiry was submitted to the Legislature: and I have to know- my observe that it was only on the evening of the previous day that it came to ledge that such was his intenion. This information did not reach me from Sir Graham Bower, but from Sir William Newton, and it was confirmed by the Procureur-General--the only communication which I had with the Colonial Secre- tary on the subject being on the occasion, a few days previously, of my informing him that the question would be put to the Council as an open one, and that the Official Members would be at liberty to record their votes as they deemed proper.

4. It was therefore with some surprise that I learned from the gentlemen above named that Sir Graham Bower had drafted a resolution which he intended to move, and that, without consulting me, he had been in communication with Sir William Newton on the subject, and had notified him of such intention.

5. Early on the morning of the 23rd of April, but considerably before 11 o'clock, I saw the Colonial Secretary and asked him whether he had prepared a resolution which he purposed to move, and on his replying in the affirmative I told him that I thought it to be neither expedient nor proper that he should do so, and that I could not sanction such a course. I added that it was only with considerable hesitation that I had allowed the question to be put as an open one, and because, having reported my proposal to your Lordship's predecessor, I had not received any instruction to adopt a different course.

6. Sir Graham Bower then asked whether he might speak on the question, adding that he anticipated an acrimonious debate, and an attack on the policy and action of the Secretary of State in the matter of the loan and of the question of the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry. I told him that I had no reason to believe that this would take place, but that if it so happened, I would then instruct him as to the action to be taken, and, in order that there might be no further doubt In the matter, I addressed a note to him, a copy of which, with a copy of his reply, I transmit herewith.

7. As the promoters of the movement, which has led to the memorial under reference, and the section of the local journalists supporting their views, have frequently stated that the Government vote was given in accordance with my wishes, if not under my direct instructions, and as I have been accused of taking an un- constitutional and partisan position in the matter, I have thought it necessary to furnish the above particulars; but, having already submitted my views on the memorial, it would seem to be unnecessary to burden this reference by further examination of the first two enclosures herein.

I have, &c.,

CAVENDISH BOYLE.

No. 79.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 17 September, 1908.)

(Confidential.)

[Acknowledged 19 October, 1908. Confidential.]

Government House, Le Réduit, 1 August, 1908. MY LORD,

In a numbered despatch of even date,* herewith, I have submitted my remarks on the memorial forming an enclosure in my despatch, No. 218, of the 22nd of July,t and I have now the honour to transmit an extract from the Minutes of Executive Council of the meeting held on the last-mentioned day, when I communicated the memorial to the members of that body.

2. The extract contains the views of Sir William Newton, the only Unofficial Member of the Legislature present on the occasion. Sir William Newton has always- pronounced against the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry at the invitation of the Legislature, but I have his assurance that if such a step is deemed necessary by His Majesty's Government he has no opposition to put forward. He, however, strongly objects, as will be gathered from his observations, to the methods adopted by the memorialists. From his experience and knowledge, and from the position that he occupies in the community, he is, I think, better qualified to gauge the views of the electorate, and indeed of the people generally, than his fellow representative for Port Louis who has signed the memorial.

• No. 78.

↑ No. 73.

Enclosure 1 in No. 79.

EXTRACT from the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Executive Council of

Mauritius.

(Meeting of the 22nd of July, 1908.)

The Governor read a letter dated 21st current from Dr. Laurent forwarding to him, for transmission at his earliest convenience, a memorial of same date addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies by the "Comité d'Action Libérale," on the subject of recent public meetings to advocate the appointment of

■ Commission to enquire into the affairs of this Colony.

His Excellency also read the memorial and stated that he was transmitting it by this day's outgoing mail, and that in his despatch he had informed the Secretary of State that he deferred placing his views before His Lordship until he had consulted his Executive advisers.

Sir William Newton said that he was glad to have the opportunity of express- ing his views upon this memorial, because he believed that without comment such a document might mislead those into whose hands it is intended to pass.

In the first place he was unable to find any indication whatever of how this Committee "d'Action Libérale," as it was styled, was brought into existence, neither could he form any precise idea of its composition. It was yet interesting to note