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(8) The population of the Colony as a whole has borne large and severe retrenchment and drastic curtailments have been made in every industrial and commercial con- cern and in every rank of the population during the last few years.

(9) Unofficial Members cannot help expressing their disappointment at unfavourable reception which the resolutions voted by the population have met at the hands of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

(10 They nevertheless think that the efficient administra- tion of the Colony and the goodwill of its inhabitants can only be assured by a very close co-operation between the Government and the representatives of the population. Ends.

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As I have already stated I shall also carefully consider any suggestions made by the Unofficial Members for meeting the deficit in the finances of the Colony, but the resolutions so far communicated to me provide no practical alternative to the recom- mendations of the Financial Commissioners. They will be aware that appreciable reduction of Civil Service salaries has already been approved but additional measures of retrenchment and provision of revenue are obviously essential. You may communicate sub- stance of this telegram to Unofficial Members to such extent as you may think fit. I leave to your discretion question of announce- ment as to withholding of balance of Guaranteed Loan but I can- not reconsider my decision that balance of £200,000 should be detained until prospect of financial equilibrium is more fully assured.-CONLIFFE-LISTER.

.

C. 93921/32 [No. 40].

No. 55.

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

(Sent 12.30 p.m.; 10th March, 1932.)

[Answered by No. 56.]

Un-

No. 53. Confidential. Your telegrams Nos. 38* and 39. official Members appear merely to repeat their demand for con- stitutional change as to which my views were fully expressed in my telegram No. 41. As I explained it is impossible at the present moment, in view of very unsatisfactory financial position, to enter- tain proposals for constitutional changes involving a diminution of control of His Majesty's Government over administration of the Colony. There is no justification for the suggestion that im- possibility of change must necessarily continue throughout currency of Guaranteed Loan. It is impossible, however, to discuss con- stitutional questions of this character by exchange of telegrams. If you will furnish me with full report on representations of the Unofficial Members, commenting especially on their allegation that heavy expenditure has been incurred in opposition to the wishes of the Unofficial Members, I will give those representations very care- ful consideration..

* No. 54.

† C. 93921/32 [No. 38]: not printed,

C. 93921/32 [No. 41].

No. 56

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

(Received 8.36 a.m., 11th March, 1932.)

[Answered by No. 57.]

11th March. No. 46. Confidential. Your telegram No. 53.* In communicating substance of message to Unofficial Members may I add that it was a misinterpretation of your previous message to regard it as a rejection of their offer of co-operation which on the contrary is welcomed but that in the present circumstances this co-operation cannot, for the reasons given, involve constitution changes but can be expressed in presentation of practical alternative

measures.

For your information I may add that I gather from conversation with Unofficial Members that they are now prepared to accept a substantial measure of taxation.

No. 51,

* No. 55.

TUITI

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

C.O.882/12

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