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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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a more stable footing I think, too, that such political and administrative reforms as may be recommended by a Commission are more likely to be accepted unani mously, or if not unanimously, then with practical unanimity, than measures which may be inaugurated by the local Legislature, which, whatever its merits, cannot be said to be completely representative, or to be above the suspicion of partiality

41 If I have made my meaning clear, your Lordship will understand that in my opinion a Commission should look to the future, and avoid raking up contro versies relating to the past, and that it should not only consider the financia! position, but look to the possible means of bringing the Governor in touch with what is going on under the surface amongst the Indian population.

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The Indians are in an overwhelming majority. They have hitherto been governed by an electorate which differs from them in race, religion, and social I do not consider that the customs, and, in most cases, in material interests ordinary machinery of popular elections could be extended to them, but on the other hand, they have wants, grievances, and religious and social convictions which should find expression in some way I would prefer that the Governor should be the source to which they look for protection and sympathy, for advice and guidance, for if that position is not taken by him or his officers, it will sooner or later be occupied by a Baboo agitator, or, what would be even worse, a Creole agitator, or possibly by noth working in partnership

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I have, &c.,

GRAHAM BOWER,

Officer Administering the Government

No. 105.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Received 6 February, 1909.)

(No. 8.)

MY LORD,

Government House, Port Louis, 7th January, 1909.

I HAVE the honour to enclose, for your information, a copy of a minute* by the Clerk of Councils reporting the action taken by the Council of Government on the various proposals submitted to it respecting the financial position of the Colony.

2. As I am in communication with your Lordship by telegraph I will not comment at length on the proposals or the action taken thereon. I will commu- nicate with you separately respecting such changes as may be necessary in the law or in the establishments to give effect to the proposals adopted by the Council of

Government.

3. But I desire to acknowledge the zeal and industry shown by the Members of Council in the consideration of the financial position. Though the Unofficial Members have private occupations and professions which require their time and attention they have for the two months past voluntarily devoted two days a week to the consideration of the Colonial finances.

I have, &c.,

Enclosure in No. 105.

GRAHAM BOWER.

CONSIDERATION OF MINUTE No. 18 OF 1908 OF HIS HONOUR THE OFFICER ADMINIS- TERING THE GOVERNMENT ON THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COLONY,

The Minute No. 18, dated 19th October, 1908, under the hand of His Honour the Officer Administering the Government, was laid before the Council at a meeting held on the 27th of the same month, and it was resolved that the minute should be considered by the Committee of the whole Council, with the Acting Colonial Secre tary in the Chair.

At the same meeting was laid the report of the Special Committee on the revi- sion of the Customs Tarifi, which was also referred to the Committee of the whole Council.

2. The Committee of the whole Council held four sittings: on the 27th and 28th October and 3rd and 12th November.

• The annexures to the minute are not reprinted.

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At the first meeting the Acting Colonial Secretary laid a minute (marked Confidential) of His Honour on the financial position of the Colony under date 19th October.

The Committee proceeded at once with the examination of the Customs Tariff, which was completed on the same day. At the meeting held on the next day (28th October) the Committee resolved to report forthwith on the Customs Tariff and to ask the Council to resume forthwith for the purpose of considering the report.

The Council resumed accordingly to deal with the report of the Committee and adopted a resolution that pending the passing of the necessary Ordinance, the duties under the revised tariff shall be leviable at once.

3. At the meeting of the Committee held on the 3rd November Sir William Newton moved :

That the proceedings of this Committee should be held publicly." The motion was defeated by 13 votes against 11.

The Committee proceeded with the consideration of His Honour's minute, dated 19th October, and made certain recommendations as recorded below (A).

The Acting Colonial Secretary at the meeting held on the 12th November laid before the Committee a further minute from His Honour, dated 6th November, containing a proposal to levy house tax in country districts outside Port Louis and the townships, and reports by the General Manager on the condition of the railways and on the repairs required to the Grand River North-West Viaduct, and Mr. Gébert laid a scheme of reduction in the expenditure of the Medical and Health Department.

4. At the meeting of the Council of Government held on the 17th November. Dr. Laurent, seconded by Sir W. Newton, moved :

"The members are of opinion that the Council of Government should henceforth resolve itself into Committee with His Honour the Officer Administering the Government in the chair with a view to examine and discuss all minutes and suggestions regarding the financial position of the Colony and that such deliberations should necessarily take place under para- graphs 38 and 39 of the Standing Orders."

This motion was carried by 16 votes against 10.

5. The Council held 11 sittings between the 20th November and the 29th December to consider the minutes of His Honour the Officer Administering the Government, and the following schemes of reduction in expenditure submitted by:

The Acting Medical Director: on the Medical and Health Department; Mr. Gébert on the Education, Customs, and other Departments;

Dr. Laurent on the Judicial and Police Departments;

Dr. Edwards on the Medical and Health Department;

The General Manager: on the suppression of certain unprofitable trains.

The reductions in expenditure made by the Council are recorded below (B). 6. At the meeting of the Council held on the 29th December the Officer Administering the Government gave the assurance that the various proposals as to reductions of salaries suggested in the different schemes submitted would be considered as soon as occasion arises, and this assurance was accepted by the Council. At the same meeting the proposal made in His Honour's minute, dated 6th November, to levy a tax on inhabited houses outside Port Louis and the town- ships was considered. Mr. Leclézio moved :

"That the consideration of the proposal be postponed to this day six months."

And His Honour accepted the motion as an expression of the opinion of the Unofficial Members.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL. A.

1st. That the cost of the Meteorological Observatory be reduced to Rs. 12,000 per annum.

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