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RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

TINC.O.882/12

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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Sub-Inspector with which I do not agree. It is better in my opinion to retain the present position of definite subordination of one rank to another. A Sub-Inspector can be placed in charge of a district if he is suitable.

14. While in present circumstances the imperative need for economy appears to render this policy of greater dependence on the Police inevitable it would be idle to disguise the fact that its enforcement will be attended with great difficulty and no incon- siderable risks. The Police are at times the subject. of bitter attacks arising from what are locally described as political" motives, but might be more correctly ascribed to personal or racial prejudices. They number among their critics some of the most voluble of local " politicians who lose no opportunity of fomenting discontent or fanning the inevitable grievances which must exist among any large body of men under discipline. Nevertheless in the circumstances I see no alternative but to attempt to strengthen the morale of the Force by assuring all ranks of the full support of the Government and of utilizing them to the fullest extent in connexion with any functions of inspection and control within their capacities. The corps of officers should be strengthened as oppor- tunity arises by the appointment of men unconnected with the Colony until at least half of the superior ranks have been filled in this way. This policy should, however, be quietly pursued without any formal announcement. It may give rise to periodic outbursts of violent criticism but if persisted in should ultimately achieve a considerable degree of improvement in the quality of the Force.

Medical and Health Department.

15. I have few comments to offer on the Commissioners' re- commendations in respect to this Department. They find them- selves generally in accord with the proposals of the Director. I am doubtful, however, whether the salaries proposed for the Deputy Director of Medical Services and the Officer-in-Charge of the Laboratory, whom the Commissioners designate Bacteriologist, but whom it had previously been agreed to entitle Deputy Director of Laboratory Services, will be sufficient to secure men of the re- quired experience and status. This is a matter which I must leave to the expert advisers of the Colonial Office. I am also very doubtful as to the advisability of attempting to establish an 'efficiency bar" in the scale for Medical Officers. Under the conditions existing here I think it would be entirely ineffective and only lead to difficulty. The proposal that a Medical Officer on the scale Rs.7,000-400-9,000-500,10,000 should be required to pass an efficiency bar at Rs.9,000, i.e., after five years' service, would I think be quite unworkable in Mauritius.

The question of the transfer of sanitary functions to the Muni- cipality of Port Louis and the Board of Curepipe is commented upon later.

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EDUCATION.

A. Schools Department.

16. No radical change of system is proposed, the principal pro- posals being-

(1) the abolition of the Training College; "(2) the abolition of the Technical Schools;

(3) a reduction in the number of examination tests. The abolition of the Training College must seem to those un- familiar with local conditions a retrograde step and it was only with great reluctance that I have myself been gradually impelled to the same conclusion as the Cominission. The Training College as at present conducted however is, I fear, not only useless but even in some respects harmful in its effects, inasmuch as the teachers trained there are not given preference to others and at times cannot, few as they are, be found employment. I agree that it would be better to close it as a temporary measure of economy in order to make a break with its traditions, and sub- sequently if and when conditions improve to re-establish it on a nore satisfactory footing.

I also agree that for the time being at any rate the Trade Schools might be suppressed. There is little opening for the pupils whose chief endeavour is to remain at school as long as possible to enjoy the small training allowance which is paid to them. The artizan trades are already overcrowded and suffer from unemployment more than any other occupation, except perhaps minor clerical workers. A system of apprenticeship in the Railway and Public Works De- partment workshops should be sufficient to supply all requirements. The system of primary education in Mauritius has been the subject of considerable discussion and while it is generally agreed that it is much in need of improvement, there is much controversy as to the methods which should be adopted. I fear that there is little likelihood of any progress being made during this period of acute depression, and an essential preliminary to any radical improvement would be, in my opinion, the appointment of an officer of higher status and wider experience as Superintendent of Schools. It will, however, be impossible to obtain an officer of the required type at a salary of Rs.11,000, which is the figure proposed. The present Acting Superintendent has shewn very considerable energy and power of organization and if a local selection is to be made for this post, which will shortly fall vacant, I do not think there could be a better choice. I doubt, however, if he has the breadth of outlook or experience to undertake a reorganization of the system. In the present difficult situation I can only suggest that a permanent appointment to the post be left in abeyance for

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