32300
2
No. 2.
MAURITIUS.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
(Sent 4.10 p.m., 1st November, 1910.)
TELEGRAM.
Referring to your telegram of 21st October.* In view of recommendations of Committee I cannot sanction continuance of present system of importation of inden- tured labour into Mauritius, and I propose to relieve Colony of all charges in con- nection with salaries of emigration agents and expenses of agency as soon as arrange- ments can be made generally. If there is hereafter an increase in permanent demand for labour in Colony which cannot be met locally, I should be prepared to consider question of allowing limited number of coolies to be imported under indenture by errangement with agency, and in any case it will be open to planters to obtain free labour from India. Despatcht follows by mail.--CREWE.
32300
21829
3
No. 4.
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE GOVERNMENT EMIGRATION AGENTS AT
SIR,
CALCUTTA.
[Answered by No. 13.]
Downing Street, 11 November, 1910.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to transmit to you the accompanying copy of the Report of the Committee appointed to consider questions connected with Emigration from India to the Crown Colonies and Protectorates, together with the Minutes of Evidence and the papers* which were laid before the Committee.
2. You will observe that the Committee have made certain proposals on pages 19 and 20 of their report which will, if adopted, necessitate considerable modifications in the present arrangements for recruiting in India.
3. These proposals are at present receiving consideration, and a further communication will be made to you in regard to them in due course.
No. 5.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
+
(No. 169.) SIR,
No. 3.
MAURITIUS.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
Downing Street, 7 November, 1910. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 21st ultimo* with regard to the Report of the Committee on East Indian emigration, and, in confirmation of my telegram in reply of the 1st instant, to inform you that, having given full consideration to the Committee's recommendations, I am unable to approve of the continuance of the present system of introducing East Indian labourers under indenture into the Colony of Mauritius.
2. I accept the opinion of the Committee, based as it is on established facts and strong arguments, that the labour supply in the Colony is sufficient, and, in these circumstances, it is not justifiable to continue a system of introducing inden- tured labour to meet the requirements of a heavy crop, with the result of increasing unemployment, distress, and destitution when the exceptional circumstances have passed away. It will, of course, always be open to the planters to obtain free labour from India if they can do so without Government assistance and support; and, in the event of a future increase in the normal demand for labour which cannot be met locally, and is not of a temporary and transient character, the question of allowing the introduction of a limited number of coolies under indenture might be brought before the Secretary of State, who would, however, require convincing evidence that the demand was likely to be permanent.
3. The discontinuance of the system of introducing coolie indentured labour necessitates the withdrawal of the Colony's connection with the Emigration Agency in Calcutta. This will be effected as soon as arrangements can be made to that end, and Mauritius will cease to contribute towards the salaries of the Emigration Agents and the expenses of the Agency. In the event of occasion arising for
importing further indentured labourers special arrangements could probably be made with one of the Agents in India, on the basis of a fixed payment in respect of every immigrant introduced into Mauritius, such payments being divided amongst the Colonies whose Agency is employed.
4. I propose shortly to address the Emigration Agent and the Governments of the other Colonies interested in the Agency, with a view to a redistribution of charges consequent on the withdrawal of the Mauritius business.
I have, &c.,
CREWE.
32300
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE GOVERNMENT EMIGRATION AGENT AT CALCUTTA FOR TRINIDAD, &c.
SIR,
[Answered by 39362: not printed.]
Downing Street, 11 November, 1910. WITH reference to the letter from this department of even date herewith.t I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to inform you that it has been decided. after consideration of the recommendations of the Committee on Emigration from India in regard to the Colony of Mauritius, that the system of introducing East Indian labourers into that Colony under indenture should be discontinued.
2. The Colony's connection with the Emigration Agency in Calcutta and contribution towards the salaries and expenses of the Agency will cease as soon arrangements have been made to that end.
its
as
3. Mr. Harcourt will be glad to receive your observations as to the readjust- ment of expenditure between the Colonies of Trinidad, Fiji, and Jamaica, which will be necessitated by this decision.
12518
(No. 369.) SIR,
No. 6.
TRINIDAD.
I am, &c.,
H. BERTRAM COX.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. [Answered by No. 26.]
Downing Street, 5 December, 1910.
WITH reference to my predecessor's Circular despatch of the 4th of July last. I have the honour to inform you that I am at present considering the recommenda tions of the Committee on Emigration from India to the Crown Colonies, and I request that you will furnish me with any observations which you may desire to offer upon the report as a whole, and also upon those portions of it which relate to Trinidad.
2. I desire to direct your attention especially to paragraphs Nos. 289-293 of the report. I consider that the frequency of prosecutions for absence, desertion, and refusal to work is unsatisfactory, and I agree with the Committee that a local enquiry should be held in regard to the working of those provisions of the Ordinance which deal with breach of contract, &c.
• 32300: not printed.
† No. 3.
‡ No. 2.
[Cd. 5192], [C. 5193], [Cd. 5194].
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† No 4.
‡ 12578: not printed.
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C.O.885
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