PUBLIC RECORD
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Reference :-
C.O. 882
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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time for the next crop is over sanguine. It is, moreover, questionable whether it is advisable to collect and employ all the labour necessary for pushing on these lines simultaneously, without the prospect of further employment on similar work subsequently.
7. I fully appreciate the necessity of doing all that is possible to assist the Indian planters, but I am unable, in view of the considerations above set forth, to sanction these proposals upon the information at present before me.
5282
SIR,
·
No. 127.
I have, &c.,
ALFRED LYTTELTON.
ACTING-GOVERNOR SIR G. BOWER to MR. LYTTELTON.
(Confidential.)
(Received February 13, 1904.)
[Answered by No. 128.]
Government House, Mauritius, January 12, 1904. confidential despatch of the 23rd December, I explained the reasons In my which led me to delay a decision in regard to the branch railways referred to in your despatch, No. 254, of the 3rd November last,† and I stated that I intended to postpone my report till the month of January, when I would be in a better position to form an opinion on the financial condition of the Island.
I pointed out that the sugar market had been steadily falling since the month of September, and that sales had actually been effected at a price which was not
remunerative.
The all important question for the sugar industry was whether the fall in prices would continue, or whether a rise would take place after the new year.
I hoped that a rise would take place, but my hope was not based on sufficiently solid grounds to justify me in tendering definite advice on the subject. For, had the fall continued, the Government would have had to face a financial crisis amongst the sugar planters in the months of March and April of the current year. I am glad to be able to inform you that a slight rise has already taken place in the sugar market, and that the position and prospects of the sugar industry are now much brighter than they were last month.
It has become necessary for me, therefore, to fulfil the promise made by me to the Council of Government, and to come to a decision as to the advice which I am to tender to you, and to the Council of Government respecting the branch railways referred to.
After long and careful consideration I have decided to recommend to the Council of Government a modified scheme which will, I believe, meet the requirements of the industry, and will be at the same time within the limits of financial prudence.
I enclose a copy of a minute which I have addressed to the Council of Govern- ment on this subject, and I desire to explain briefly the reasons that have led me to tender the advice therein contained. The reasons are as follows:-
A large number of what are called planters' canes have remained uncut this year for lack of transport. If I were to refuse to sanction any railway extension, the cane fields owned by these small planters must go out of cultivation, and their owners would be ruined.
The direct financial loss to the revenue would be immediate, and there would probably be an indirect loss owing to increased claims for Poor Law Relief.
If the sugar industry of Mauritius is to compete in the markets of the world, the cost of production must be decreased, and the cost of transport is an important factor in the cost of production.
I believe that if the cost of production can be lowered the conditions of sugar growing in Mauritius are otherwise so favourable that the industry will be well able to hold its own against competition. The more favourable prospects of the market have given courage to the sugar planters, and I would not be justified in saying that these hopes are without foundation.
The risk caused by increasing the debt of the Colony is not so great as would be caused by a refusal to sanction these extensions.
• No. 122.
† No. 112.
135
In the first case the risk is of a possible future general failure of the sugar estate owners, owing to a failure to meet their obligations. But even in such a case the Government would become the owners of many estates and sugar mills. They would be compelled if they became proprietors to parcel out the estates amongst the Indians, and it would be impossible to do this unless the means of transport were
available.
It is evident, therefore, that taking the most gloomy view of a possible future failure the Government will be in a better position to face a crisis if the means of transport are available than if they are not available.
The extensions will, under the system of higher rates, which it is proposed to impose, pay the interest and sinking fund on the loan.
On the other hand a refusal to sanction any extension would have caused immedi- ate disaster to a section of the population, and would probably have embarrassed the finances of the Government to a greater extent than the decision to advocate the smaller loan now asked for. In this connection I may quote the following figures:-
Cost of original scheme Cost of present scheme
...
£217,000 128,000
I will telegraph the decision of the Council of Government so soon as it has been taken, and for the present content myself with saying that if anything is to be done that is to be of service to the planters in time for this year's harvest, which begins about the end of July, no time must be lost in commencing such work as you may approve.
(No. 49 of 1903-04.)
I have, &c.,
GRAHAM BOWER,
Officer Administering the Government.
Enclosure in No. 127.
MINUTE BY THE Acting-GOVERNOR.
Railway Extension Lines.
With reference to the various schemes for the construction of branch lines of railway now under consideration, the Officer Administering the Government has the honour to lay before the Council of Government a Memorandum drawn up by the Honourable the Surveyor-General and submitted to the Light Railway Board, in which he suggests that only those lines, or portions of lines, which can be completed in time for next crop, should be undertaken this year, together with the minutes of proceedings of the Meetings of the Light Railway Board at which the Surveyor- General's suggestions were considered.
The Surveyor-General recommends that the following branch lines be con- structed:-
On the North Line.
10. From Poudre d'Or to the Vale-about 10 miles...
20. From Mapou to Australia-about 7 miles
On the Midland Line.
30. From Mare d'Albert to Cent Gaulettes...
Total
Estimated
cost. £34,000
29,000
18,000
£81,000
The Mare d'Albert-Cent Gaulettes Extension has been recommended by the Light Railway Board, and their report was laid on the table of the Council on the 8th December last.
In addition to the cost of construction of these branch lines (Rs. 1,215,000) it is estimated that a sum of Rs. 444,000 will be required to meet the purchase price of the necessary rolling stock. An amended estimate by the Surveyor-General is annexed, which deals with this subject.
The Officer Administering the Government has given this matter his earnest attention, and after consulting the Executive Council he is prepared to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies to sanction the raising of the necessary funds
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