CO885-(26N14) — Page 242

201

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

I L

Reference :-

885/26

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

10

310,972). Mr. Clementi was of opinion that the prospects of the people of British Guiana accepting a change of constitution in consideration of facilities for a loan of two or three millions sterling were good. The negro element was the strongest in the electorate and in the Combined Court and liberal expenditure on water supply and drainage for the coast lands would appeal to this element. As regards the bearing of a change of constitution on Indian opinion, it was pointed out (1) that a very small proportion indeed of the present East Indian population took the trouble to register themselves as electors, and that the single East Indian member of the Court was probably elected to placate opinion in India; (2) that the proposed change of constitution would not place the East Indian under any disability as compared with the European or other races; and (3) that while the change would reduce the power of the unofficial members of the Combined Court, it would probably result in increasing the number of Indian members through nomination by the Crown.* Mr. Clementi agreed with a suggestion that the Governor of British Guiana, following the precedent of Trinidad, should appoint a local Development Committee to recommend a programme of works and measures to be carried out with the money provided by the loan. The Committee concurred in the general policy outlined in Mr. Clementi's memorandum and agreed that the loan proposals should be placed before the Governor. As regards the amount of the annual charge on the loan, it was pointed out that the purposes for which the money was required were not such as to attract the investor apecially, and also that the market conditions were very inconstant at the present time and were rather less favourable at the moment than they had been a few weeks previously. The total charge (including sinking fund contributions) of 7 per cent. might therefore have to be increased, perhaps to 7 per cent., but no definite forecast could be made until the time for issuing the loan was near at hand. Mr. Clementi mentioned that a direct return could be obtained for a part of the expenditure in the form of water and sewage rates.

The Canadian Pacific Railway Company and the West Indies.-Colonel Amery mentioned that during his recent visit to Canada he had had an opportunity of suggesting to Mr. Beatty, the new President of the C.P.R. Company, that the company might find it worth while to extend their operations to the West Indies and particularly to British Guiana, the interior of which they might be able to develop on lines somewhat similar to those which they had followed in the N.W. Provinces of Canada. The idea was that such a company, with large available capital re- sources and with successful experience in introducing settlers into a previously unpopulated region, might be given extensive land grants in connection with the construction and working of a trunk railway into the interior of the Colony, and by means of its own ocean steamer services might introduce settlers (for the highland savannahs suitable for white settlers) and also carry immigrants from India. The two main requisites for the rapid develop- ment of the interior, viz., the introduction of a new population and the establishment of railway communication, were closely dependent upon each other, and it would be of great advantage if both could be placed largely in the hands of a single enterprising company. Mr. Beatty had shown interest in the suggestion, and spoke of sending shortly from Canada three or four of the company's experts in different branches (land settlement, railway constrye- tion, mining, etc.) to make a tour of the West Indies and British Guiana and study the possibilities. The Committee considered the suggestion a very interesting one, and agreed that the company should be encouraged to pursue their enquiries. It was pointed out, however, that in view of the arrangements with India it would be necessary for the Colonial Government to retain control of immigration.

Colonel Amery's Report on his visit to Canada.—It was decided that copies of this report+ should be circulated to the Committee.

Light Railways and Mechanical Road Transport in West Africa. The Committee con- sidered a correspondence between the Colonial Office and the London Chamber of Commerce on this subject. The Chamber urged that an enquiry into the comparative merits and cost of light railways and motor road transport should be undertaken by this Committee. A Sub-Committee consisting of Sir H. Read, Sir J. Eaglesome, and Sir W. Mercer was appointed to report on the matter (taking into account the various forms of both kinds of transport, and the use of alcohol as well as petrol for internal combustion engines), and it was suggested that evidence might be obtained, from, among others, the Governor of the Gold Coast, the Secretary of Works in that Colony, and the Director of Public Works in Nigeria, who were at present in this country on leave. It was agreed, in view of the technical character of the enquiry, that an engineer might be appointed to give secretarial assistance to the Sub-Committee.

The next Meeting was fixed for Wednesday, 13th October, unless occasion should arise to call a meeting at an earlier date.

NOTE. Mr. Clementi has furnished the following note in connection with his evidence at the ineeting: -

The present electorate of the Colony is only 46 per cent, of the adult males of all races. The remaining 95-4 per cent, as well as all who are not male adults, are repre- sented only by the official section of the Combined Court.

11

The franchise in relating to population and race can be shown thus:-

Esat Indian African Portuguese British

Chinose

Race,

Percentage of each race in adult male population.

Percentage of each race in total electorate.

Percentage of adult males of each race regi-tered as voters.

51.8

6.4

42.9

62.7

0.6 6.8

2.9

11:4

17.7

1-7 0.9

17-0

46.1

2-4

12.3

In view of these figures I do not think that opposition from Inlia need be expected to a change in the constitution of such a nature as to assure nominated representation in the Colony's legislature to colonists of East Indian race.

EIGHTH MEETING, WEDNESDAY, 13т OCTOBER, 1920.

PRESENT:

Col. AMERY (in the Chair).

Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN.

Sir OWEN PHILIPPS.

Sir W. MERCER.

Sir J. EAGLESOME.

Sir H. READ,

Mr. DAWSON.

Mr. GRINDLE.

Mr. EZECHIEL (Secretary),

The Minutes of the seventh meeting were passed.

Nyasaland Railway Extension to Lake Nyasa.-The report of the sub-committee, dated 7th July, was presented. Sir H. Read reported that a copy of this report had been communicated to the Governor, who had now. telegraphedt deprecating the construction of a new motor road to the Lake and suggesting that the advisability should be considered of proceeding at once with the earthworks, masonry for bridges, &c. (leaving the iron works till later), and perhaps laying down in the first instance narrow gauge rails to be obtained cheaply from surplus war stores. It was decided to refer the consideration of these proposals to the Sub-Committee.

Uasin Gishu Railway.-Sir H. Read reported that the surveys were proceeding, and that it was hoped shortly to receive a report from the Government Resident Engineer, Lieut-Col. Robertson, which might enable a final decision to be taken as to which of the two alternative routes should be adopted.

British Guiana-Mr. Grindle reported that the proposals discussed by the Committee had been placed before the Governor, but that a reply had not yet been received. Meanwhile the difficulties which had arisen in connexion with the proposed mission of the Indian delegates to the Colony threatened to kill the whole immigration scheme, which was the foundation of any large scheme of development. The possibility of obtaining immigrants from other sources (e.g. Chinese, West Indians, &c.), was discussed, and reference was made to the methods by which Cuba had attracted and was still attracting large streams of immigrants for the sugar industry. Sir Owen Philipps thought that a great stimulus might be given to the West Indies if the investing public could be assured of the permanence of the policy of preference. progress industry should be organised on a larger scale thus the minimum unit for a sugar For real factory should be one with an output of 10,000 tons per annum.

Motor Roads versus Light Railways.—Sir H. Read reported that the sub-committee had had several meetings and examined several witnesses, but were still engaged upon the subject and were not yet in a position to present a report.

Colonel Amery's report‡ on his visit to Canada, for the conference between the Canding and West Indian Governments in connexion with trade preference, shipping and other matters, had been circulated to the Committee, Colonel Amery mentioned that the Bahamas had since the signature of the agreement voluntarily increased its preference from 10 to 25 per cent.

Federated Malay States.-Despatches from the High Commissioner on an electrical scheme and a general development programme had been circulated to the Committee, but Mr. Grindle said that this had been done under a misunderstanding, and that it was not proposed to ask the Committee to deal with these matters at the present stage.

power

Jamaica-Proposed Establishment of Cement Factory-Papers on this subject had also been circulated to the Committee, but it was decided that it was not suitable for consideration by the Committee,

See note at and of this day's meeting.

† No. 132 in West Indian No. 204.

‡ Not printed.

•

• Report (III), page 19.

† No. 15, page 84.

No. 132 in West Indian No. 204,

§ Not printed.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON