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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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The nominee system may be said to have broken down before Sir John Pope Hennessy gave it a final blow, and it is neither desirable nor practicable to return to a system which put power and influence in the hands of a small group.

To apply democratic institutions to a population so composite as that of Mauritius is, in my opinion, equally impossible

زالة

27 The existing Constitution, if maintained, will almost certainly produce changes in the personnel which will not be to the advantage of good government 1 do not consider it profitable to enquire who is to blame for the present position. It is enough if I say that the finances are in disorder, and that new conditions are arising in the population, conditions which were either not foreseen, or, if foreseen, were not provided for when the Constitution was granted

On the contrary, I 2 I am not opposed to representative institutions sider that, unless all views and sentiments can secure some sort of representation, The Government is likely to act in ignorance and to blunder

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But there is no necessary connection between representation at the ballot A population is mainly divided by "interests." or, if the word be more acceptable, causes There are no doubt many examples in the politics of the United Kingdom which would illustrate my meaning, and will readily occur to your Lordship I will merely mention that on educational questions it has been my practice to consult the Director of Public Instruction and the Bishops, none of ahom are elected, but who may, nevertheless, be said to be representative of certain schools of thought

30 Similarly on financial questions I have often received sound information nd advice from the Manager of the Bank of Mauritius, the Directors of the Commercial Bank, and the leading merchants of the place These gentlemen are certainly representative though not elected.

31 The prom, therefore, to my mind is how to temper the nominee system by a representative system which need not be, and had better not be, purely elective. 32 So far as some of the interests are concerned, the problem is easy enough. The President of the Chamber of Commerce certainly represents an important interest The same may be said of the President of the Chamber of Agriculture. The Mayor of Port Louis is the selection by secondary election of an electorate yuny composed of the coloured population. The local nominee Boards of the Plaines Wilhems District, Le, the Boards of Curepipe. Quatre Bornes, Beau Rassin, and Rose Hill might also be counted on to select a suitable representative of an important local interest. The President of the Mosque might fairly be held to be representative of the Mahommedan interest

33. It is when I have to consider the interests of the Ilindoo population, and In the natural course of things the especially of the labourers, that I am at a loss. Immigration Department acts as the protectors, friends, and guardians of the But if that solution Indians, and this is the best solution from every point of view.

i- to ise adopted means must be found for bringing the Immigration Department into closer touch with the Indians. It is highly desirable that the officers of that Depart- ment should be in close sympathy with the feelings and wants of the Indian popula tion, and should have a complete knowledge of their social, religious, and caste prejudices. I am urging on the Protector the importance of securing, by personal intercourse, and by the personal intercourse of his officers, their influence and their position with the Indian population in such a manner that it will be unassailable by any Baloo agitator. But it is not possible to lay down rules on this delicate subject. Personal influence is based on personal character and human sympathy. I have no hesitation in saying that, from the point of view of personal character, the officers of the Immigration Department may challenge comparison with any Baboo agitator that may ever reach Mauritius, and I have every hope that the kindly disposition which they are known to possess will enable them to show the qualities of human sympathy which is the basis of affection in all races.

34 So far, therefore, as the Indian population is concerned, I think the best solution would be closer and still closer touch between them and the Immigration Department.

35. But I am not now preparing & Constitution, nor am I framing "fancy franchises My object is to state, the problem as it presents itself to my mind, quantum valeat, and to leave the solution to the Royal Commissioners whom I

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understand from your Lordship's telegram of the 8th February* His Majesty will be advised to appoint

10993

I have, &c.,

GRAHAM BOWER,

Officer Administering the Government.

No. 113

THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 30 March, 1909.)

(No. 56)

MY LORD,

Government House, Port Louis, 17 February, 1909. I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a letter which I have received from Dr. Laurent on the subject of a public meeting held at Pamplemousses on the 14th instant.

2.

quietly

DIR.

I also transmit a copy of the police report on the meeting, which passed off

Enclosure 1 in No. 113.

I have, &c.,

GRAHAM BOWER.

Port Louis, 5th February, 1909.

I AM directed by the members of the "Action Libérale" to forward to you the following resolutions, which were put and unanimously carried at a meeting held at Pamplemousses Market and authorised by Your Honour, on February the 14th at 1.15 p.m.

1. The inhabitants of Pamplemousses, assembled in a public meeting, congratulate and thank the Legislative Council, especially the elective mem- bers of the said Council, for having voted for the appointment of a Royal Commission of Enquiry

This resolution was proposed by Mr. A. de Boucherville and seconded by Mr. E. Nairac.

2. The inhabitants of Pamplemousses beg to express their high sense of gratitude to the "Action Libérale " for what they have already done, and invite them to continue to defend the general interests of the Colony and to submit the desirata (desiderata?) and wishes of the population to the Com- mission of Enquiry.

This was proposed by Mr. Charles Gabriel and seconded by the Chairman, both electors of Pamplemousses.

3. The meeting was orderly and well attended, and in addition to the above resolutions a paper was read by Mr. H. E. Lacaze upon the necessity of creating a Department of Agriculture in the Colony.

Mr. Le Vieux spoke at great length upon the necessity of creating a land State bank, and of starting as soon as possible works of irrigation in the Colony.

I have, &c.,

His Honour

E. LAURENT,

President of the "Comité d'Action Libérale."

The Officer administering the Government.

Enclosure 2 in No. 113.

POLICE REPORT On the Public Meeting of PAMPLEMOUSSES, 14th February, 1909.

I BEG to report that the meeting held by the Honourable Dr. Laurent, this day, at the Pamplemousses Market, terminated shortly before 3 o'clock, and was most orderly.

* No. 106.