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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TILLICO. 882

9ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

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About four hundred persons, of whom one hundred and seventy are known to

Most of the latter are small planters. be electors of the district, were present.

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No. 114.

N. B. JONES,

Inspector of Police

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

(Secret.)

MY LORD,

Government House, Réduit, 20th February, 1909.

I HAVE the honour to acquaint you that, as a result of the announcement of the decision of His Majesty's Government to appoint a Royal Commission, the leaders of the Action Libérale have decided to prepare "cahiers" of grievances and of proposals for submission to the Royal Commission.

2. It is almost inevitable that in the case of an excitable people such as exists

in Mauritius personal charges should be made, and that statements will be coloured by much exaggeration.

3. It is highly undesirable that excitement should spread to the public, or that it should take the form of agitation.

4. It is a question, therefore, for consideration whether it would not be better for the Commissioners to sit with closed doors.

5. This is the course that was adopted when the late Sir Hercules Robinson visited the Island as Royal Commissioner, and it has been the practice usually observed here by Committees or Commissions enquiring into the working of Depart

ments.

6. It is, of course, the practice of all Committees of Council.

7. The exception on the other side is the case of the Frère Williamson Commis- But as I was in sion, which was appointed to enquire into the Labour Law. Mauritius as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy at the time of the sitting of that Commission, I can testify from personal observation that the effect of public sittings was to keep excitement alive, and to greatly embitter party and race feeling.

8. I can perhaps illustrate the danger I am anxious to avert by giving a possible concrete case. I will be greatly surprised if Mr Manilal M. Doctor does not claim to be heard, and any evidence given by him would create excitement and antagonism between planters and Indians. I cannot think that this would be for the public good. In a democratic country reforms are carried by agitation. But it is the merit and indeed the object of a Royal Commission to institute reforms without the usual preliminary evils of agitation and the ill-feeling it engenders.

9. I therefore venture to submit my views for your Lordship's consideration.

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I have, &c..

GRAHAM BOWER,

Officer Administering the Government.

No. 115.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE

(No 69.)

MY LORD,

(Received 30 March, 1909.)

[Answered by No. 121.]

Government House, Port Louis, 22nd February, 1909.

I HAVE the honour to enclose, for your Lordship's information, a petition from the Mahommedan and Hindu merchants of Mauritius, praying for representa- tion in the Council of Government.

2. As your Lordship has decided to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the Administration, it seems to me that the question which is embodied in the prayer of this petition might fittingly be considered by the Commissioners when they

arrive.

I have, &c..

GRAHAM BOWER.

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Enclosure in No. 115.

Port Louis, Mauritius. 30th January, 1909.

To The Right Honourable LORD CREWE, K.G.,

The Secretary of State for the Colonies.

The humble petition of the undersigned Mahomedan and Hindu merchants respectfully showeth :-

1. That we the loyal Indian and Indo-Mauritian subjects of His Majesty con- tribute more to the existence and maintenance of this Colony than any other section of the Mauritian people.

2. That being only a commercial people without sufficient education in English

or French we have till now been unrepresented on the Legislative Council.

3. That the Government has been so kind as to nominate the Honourable Dr. Nalletamby as a member to look after the interests of the Indian people here. But on enquiry, we are sure the Government will be satisfied that the Indians of Mauritius do not believe that their interests are really sufficiently guarded by any body at all.

4. That your Lordship's petitioners as the most important trading community of Mauritius respectfully hope that a suitable man from amongst them may be nominated to sit upon the Legislative Council in order that Indian and especially Indo-Mauritian interests may be guarded.

5 That your Lordship's petitioners have amongst them here gentlemen, Mr. Rustomji Mervanji Mehta, of the firm Mehta, Limjibhoy & Co., merchant, and Mr. Ahmed Ajam Piperdy, who know English fairly well and are likely to look after your petitioners' interests better than any other men.

6. That your petitioners earnestly hope that your Lordship will be kind enough to consider the present position in a sympathetic spirit and do the desirable in the direction of giving some representation to your petitioners who as a community contribute the largest amount in taxes.

In conclusion your petitioners will if this petition is granted pray as in duty bound for the long life and prosperity of your Lordship.

(About 35 signatories.) Forwarded to His Honour Sir Graham Bower, Officer administering the Govern- ment of Mauritius, for favour of transmission to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with such remarks as he may deem fit.

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No. 116.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 3 April, 1909.)

(No. 79.)

MY LORD,

Government House, Port Louis, 3 March, 1909. I HAVE the honour to enclose, for your information, a copy of a minute from the Poor Law Commissioner asking for a special warrant for Rs. 85,400 as a supplementary grant on the Poor Law Vote, which has proved to be insufficient.

2. I enclose also a statement of Poor Law expenditure for the last three years. 3. There can be no doubt that poverty is increasing in Mauritius, and the causes are many and deep-seated. Over-population and financial depression causing a necessary restriction of employment may be considered as the main contributory causes. But something must be allowed for habits of dependence and a general helplessness which has been engendered by a long period of paternal government.

4. The system of outdoor relief which does not provide a labour test has been condemned by all sound economists. But it has now entered into the habits and ideas of the people of Mauritius. Moreover, there are no funds wherewith to provide "Unions" even if such institutions could be enforced politically.

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I propose, therefore, to sign a warrant authorising a grant sufficient for two months' supply, say Rs. 40,000. At the end of two months the Poor Law Commissioner must, if necessary, apply again.

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