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PUBLIC

RECORD

OFFICE

Reference

C.O.882/12

ཡམ ་

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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18. It may fairly be objected to many of the foregoing statements that they are based merely on gossip or rumour and not on defi- nite evidence. It is obvious, however, that where corruption is common evidence is especially difficult to obtain. I have been assured by all classes, official and non-official alike, and by many speaking with a full sense of responsibility, that dishonesty in the subordinate ranks of the Government service is a matter of common knowledge but any demand for precise facts affecting individuals is invariably evaded, and it is obvious that in such circumstances effective action by heads of Departments is extraordinarily difficult. The rumours and reports which I have quoted, however, reveal sufficiently clearly the general atmosphere in which work is carried on and the state of public opinion in regard to it. It is impos- sible to escape the conclusion that while the volume of rumour no doubt tends to exaggerate the actual conditions there is a large proportion of truth in the common report. I may perhaps add one more instance to illustrate the lengths to which the general dis- trust and suspicion can go. I have been assured by the Principal of the Teachers' Training College that he has more than once been approached by students with appeals for a loan of money to enable them to bribe the examiners (who are Assistant Masters at the Royal College, of Creole descent) to ensure a. pass in the teachers examination. The Principal is of a slightly eccentric temperament but there is no question as to his integrity. I have quoted this allegation to the Rector of the Royal College and to a leading clergyman of the Anglican Church both of whom replied that they feared that the truth of the allegation was not impossible"!

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19. In such circumstances it may be reasonably asked what steps can be suggested to remedy these conditions. In so far as they are inherent in the character of a large section of the popula- tion it is probable that no measures within the limits of prae- ticability will be completely successful in eradicating the evils described and I do not suggest that they are entirely peculiar to Mauritius. I do however urge that the conditions referred to clearly emphasize the need for securing as opportunity offers the largest possible measure of independent European supervision of the subordinate staff and that when measures of reorganization are under review this consideration is one of prituary importance. Any measures of retrenchment which have the effect of weakening direct personal supervision by European officers of adequate standing are likely to prove ineffective for the reasons given.

20. It is plain that the atmosphere which I have endeavoured to describe could not exist in a healthy condition of public opinion towards the evils referred to: the absence of such an opinion is indeed one of the chief obstacles to effective reform. It can easily be realized that a numerous subordinate service working in such an atmosphere is not scrupulous as to the means which it will

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adopt to achieve its purposes and as local subordinates of the Civil Service form an important element among the supporters of elected members of Council the influence brought to bear on these gentle- men against proposals for reorganization which involve sacrifices by the subordinate service or the appointment of a larger propor- tion of European supervisory officers, can readily be imagined. Nevertheless it has been publicly stated in Council by the Senior Member for Port Louis, who is the leader of what may be described as the

Creole" party, that he would prefer that all Heads of Departments should be Englishmen." This does not prevent loud complaints when any Englishman is appointed to an office for which a “Creole might be regarded as having any sort of claim-nor does it protect English officers from malicious attack whenever occasion offers. There has, for instance, just been con- cluded a case in which I authorized the Inspector-General of Police, at his urgent insistence, to institute a suit for defamation against a local newspaper for publishing an allegation that the promotion of a European Sub-Inspector in preference to a Creole, who was obviously inferior in personal qualifications, was due to raisons occultes" and " compérage," expressions which I am advised have a sinister significance in local parlance of more serfous import than might appear.

At the time of writing, judgment has not been given. The position in the Police is one which demands special attention, as the proposals of the Financial Commission contem- plate a large extension of their functions and the delegation to them of additional duties involving financial responsibility. Out of nineteen officers on the roll only five, including the Inspector- General, are Europeans: one of the best of these is about to retire on the 31st December after which, with the exception of the Inspector-General, there will remain only one European officer of first-rate quality. Apart from two other European officers the remainder, with the exception of one elderly Inspector of Indian origin who is also due to retire at the end of the year, are coloured Creoles of varying capacity. The consideration put forward in this despatch strongly emphasize in my submission the desirability of filling vacancies by the appointment of Europeans, more especially in view of the increased responsibilities which it is proposed to entrust to the Police. Somewhat similar considerations apply to the Revenue Department, the greater part of which it is proposed to transfer to the Customs Department. The recent revelation of conditions in the Customs are sufficient evidence of the need for closer independent supervision of the combined department. The present unsatisfactory condition of the Revenue Department which is a matter of generally accepted report is largely due to lack of personal supervision over the details of its work by a European officer. The Receiver-General who is the only European in the large combined department of Treasury and Revenue has no doubt found it difficult to give the close attention which local circum- stances require to the work of this branch. This is also one of the