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C.O.882/12

158

Possibility of raising a further part of the Guaranteed Loan to repay La Nicolière advances is not ruled out and this will be con- sidered in the light of the financial position towards the end of the financial year.

Question of military contribution is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to authorise any statement.-CUNLIFFE-LISTER.

('. 93921/32 [No. 34].

No. 52.

Telegram from the Governor of Mauritius to the Secretary of

State for the Colonies.

(Received 2.26 p.m., 24th February, 1932.)

(Paraphrase.)

[Answered by No. 53.]

24th February. Secret. Your telegram of 20th February. I had not intended to propose that suggestion for direct taxation should be withdrawn but that they should not be pressed through the Council immediately and that time should be allowed for dis- cussion of possible alternatives during which situation might possibly improve which would render less difficult acceptance of taxation. The message in your No. 41f to Unofficial Members appears to contemplate giving Members opportunity of submitting alternative proposals which I understand they are prepared to do. It is very important to allow a little time to elapse for the excite- ment to cool down. Publication of summary of Commissioners' Report will probably arouse division of opinion and present unity is unlikely to last in any case. At present, however, with the exception of Civil Service all sections are united against the Govern- ment which has not previously occurred for a generation.

On previous occasions disturbances have arisen from division among the people themselves. To attempt to press taxation pro- posals forward immediately would undoubtedly have led to general disorder and passive resistance to payment of taxes which we are not in a position to meet; but, I hope that time occupied in con- sideration of alternative proposals submitted and resulting division will obviate this danger.

* No. 50.

+ No. 51.

159

After

It would (? not omitted) be possible to take any immediately effective measures to strengthen Police Force to meet a general outbreak directed against the Government. This would put a strain on their morale which they could not be expected to meet. cousulting Inspector-General of Police and Officer Commanding the Troops I am advised that if there were a general outbreak of disorder and passive resistance to Government a force of not less than one battalion or equivalent Naval force would be needed to maintain order.

I respectfully submit that in these circumstances it is the duty of the Government to avoid precipitate or provocative action and to allow a little time for feeling to subside without, of course, with- drawing insistence that in all circumstances means to balance the Budget must be found. In this connexion I most strongly urge that payments of advances under Guaranteed Loan from monies already received and in Banks here should not be withheld but Withholding only remittance balance in England of £200,000.

of monies already here would precipitate crisis and would direct intense feeling against local Government making the ultimate solution much more difficult. The withholding of £200,000 still retained in England is quite sufficiently strong lever as, almost daily, need for their money is being urgently pressed upon me.

C. 93921/32 [No. 36].

No. 59.

Telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Mauritius.

(Sent 12.15 p.m., 27th February, 1932.)

(Paraphrase.)

*

Secret. No. 48. Your Secret telegram 24th February. I have no desire to press for precipitate action and I recognize force of arguments in favour of reasonable delay. I presume that summary of Commission's Report has now been published and message in my telegram No. 41 communicated to Unofficial Members. Copies of the Report should reach you early in March under cover of my Confidential despatch of 4th February, and you may then supply copies to Members of the Council of Government and to the Press, but in order to avoid a breach of parliamentary privilege this should not be done until after publication in this country as Command Paper which will be made as soon as possible and the date of which will be telegraphed later.

* No. 52.

+ No. 61.

† C. 98921/1/32 [No. 3]; not printed.

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