CO885-(20-21) — Page 470

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.885

21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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had not hitherto been favourably regarded in Trinidad; but I also indicated that the matter was one which was of importance from an Indian as well as from a Colonial standpoint, and that the final decision in regard to it must necessarily be left to me.

4. I learnt with much regret from a communication which I subsequently received from you that the Immigration Committee are still of the opinion that the amalgamation of the Agencies would be detrimental to the interests of Trinidad, and that they have reaffirmed the resolutions communicated to the Earl of Elgin in Sir H. Jackson's despatch, No. 27, of the 15th of January, 1907.*

5. I observe from the enclosures to Sir H. Jackson's despatch that at a meeting held on the 10th of January, 1907, the Immigration Committee drew attention to the increase in the cost of immigration per head, and to the increase in the number of repatriations and in the mortality amongst the coolies, which had taken place since 1900, when the Trinidad Agency was combined with the Agencies for Mauritius, Fiji, and Jamaica. I gather that it was for these reasons that they were opposed to further amalgamation, but in my opinion the increased cost of immigration and the other unfavourable incidents to which the Committee very properly called attention are attributable, not to the amalgamation of the Agencies, but to the ever-increasing difficulties which have for many years attended the recruiting in India of emigrants for the Colonies. These difficulties are due chiefly to the improvement in the condition of the labouring classes in India, the increased demand for coolie labour in Assam, and the consequent competition in the recruiting districts; but also to the growing opposition in India to all oversea emigration-which is one of the most serious factors in the present situation.

6. presume that it is clearly understood in Trinidad that amalgamation extends only to the staff of the two Agencies, and that the two depôts would continue separate, as they are at present. separate and distinct, for it would be impossible, having regard to the differences in It is essential that the depôts should remain the terms of indenture, that coolies who have been recruited for different Colonies should be kept in one and the same depôt at the same time.

7. The time has now come when this question must be decided, and the decision at which I have arrived, after the most careful consideration of all the interests involved, is that the Agencies must be amalgamated. I sincerely regret having to adopt a policy which appears to be distasteful to the members of the Immigration Committee, but as the new arrangement is considered necessary by the Indian Government and the Secretary of State for India the Committee will, of course, recognise that their views-which are shared, in a modified degree, by the Govern- ment of British Guiana, but not by the Governments of Fiji or Jamaica-cannot be allowed to prevail; and I am confident that they will loyally accept my decision.

8. It will be seen from paragraph 81 of the Report of Lord Sanderson's Com- mittee, that amalgamation was recommended by the Committee partly with a view to economy, but more particularly with a view to greater efficiency in administration, and as obviously adapted to improve the general administration of the Colonial Emigration Department for the benefit of all the Colonies concerned." The views of the Government of India upon this question will be found in the enclosed copy of a despatchi which has been received from the India Office. with you at a later date in regard to the general observations of the Indian Govern- I shall communicate ment upon the report of the Emigration Committee, and for the present I wish only to call special attention to their observations on the subject of recruiting in India, and more particularly to those contained in paragraph 2 and paragraphs 10 to 15 of the despatch. In communicating this despatch to me the Marquess of Crewe intimated that the matters in which action appeared to him to be most necessary were those connected with the actual recruitment of labourers in India, and he advocated the amalgamation of the two Calcutta Agencies, and the appointment of a responsible Emigration Agent in the United Provinces. In a subsequent letter‡ his Lordship has stated that he is "satisfied that in view of the changed conditions described in the second paragraph of the Government of India's letter, No. 30, of the 25th May last.f this step (ie., amalgamation)," which is regarded on high authority as one leading to more economical administration and more effective super- vision, must be considered to be one of great importance for the continuance of the system of recruitment."

4496 not printed.

↑ Enclosure 1 in No. 39.

‡ No. 44.

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9. It will be seen from the above that the proposal for the amalgamation of the Agencies is urged as part of a general scheme for improving the arrangements in India, and modifying the objections to the present methods of recruiting, which threaten to endanger the whole system of oversea indentured emigration from India. It is chiefly on this account that I have felt it my duty to acquiesce in the wishes of the Indian authorities and to override the objections of the Colonial Administra- tions; though I cannot but attach importance also to the arguments in favour of amalgamation which were brought forward when the matter was previously under discussion, viz., that competition between the Agencies is undesirable, and tends to increase expense, to lower the dignity and status of the Agents, and to cast discredit upon the whole system.

10. From a financial aspect considerable reduction in the cost of the establishments in India, and I have no is clear that a joint Agency should result in doubt that such reductions would be welcomed by the Immigration Committee but for the fear that the interests of Trinidad might be sacrificed to those of other Colonies, and that the despatch of immigrants to the Colony might be retarded. I do not think that these apprehensions are well-founded. The Emigration Agents hope that it will be possible to further the interests of all the West Indian Colonies which import coolie labour from India by arranging the despatch of joint ship-loads. This applies more especially in the case of Trinidad and British Guiana, and as the latter Colony is Trinidad's most serious competitor under present conditions, it appears to me that the new arrangements should prove advantageous to both, and should also lead to economy in the cost of transportation.

11. The Indian Government have been informed that I agree to the amalgama- tion of the Agencies, and a communication to the like effect will shortly be made to the Emigration Agents at Calcutta. I am at present considering the rearrange- ment of the personnel of the Agencies which this change necessitates, and I will communicate with you further on the subject as soon as I am in a position to do so.

I have, &c.,

L. HARCOURT.

4452

SIR,

No. 48.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNORS. (Jamaica. No. 53.) (Fiji. No. 43.)

Downing Street, [27] [28] February, 1912.

[To Jamaica: With reference to Mr. Cork's despatch, No. 219 of the 7th of June, 1911,*] [To Fiji: With reference to your despatch, No. 213 of the 28th of September, 1911,t] I have the honour to inform you that I have decided, after the fullest consideration of all the interests involved, that the amalgamation of the two Emigration Agencies at Calcutta should be effected as soon as possible.

2. This change is advocated by the Indian Government and the Secretary of State for India as part of a general scheme for improving the existing arrangements in India, and modifying the objections to the present methods of recruiting, which threaten to endanger the whole system of oversea indentured emigration from India. It is chiefly on this account that I have felt it my duty to decide that the objections to the amalgamation which are entertained in certain Colonies must not prevail against the general interests, though I confess that I also attach importance to the arguments in favour of a joint Agency which were put forward when the matter was previously under discussion, viz., that competition between the Agencies is undesirable, and tends to increase expense, to lower the dignity and status of the Agents, and to cast discredit upon the whole system.

3. The amalgamation of the Agencies should result in considerable reductions in the cost of establishments in India, and in advantage to all the Colonies con- cerned.

4. The Indian Government have been informed of my decision, and the Emigra- tion Agents at Calcutta will be apprised of it at an early date. I am at present considering the rearrangement of the personnel of the Agencies, and I will com- municate with you further on the subject as soon as I am in a position to do so.

I have, &c.,

• 21293: not printed.

L. HARCOURT.

† No. 10.