CO885-24 — Page 116

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

Win

CO. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGENOT TO

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SEYCHELLES.

8. The advantages as to food supply in this Colony are that the fish in our waters is practically inexhaustible, and the supply of cattle, pigs, and poultry should be sufficient for a year for our normal population. There is no justifica- tion for enhancement of price of meat or poultry, as, with the export of copra stopped, there should be large supplies of poonac (residue of coconut after making coco-nut oil) available as food for cattle and poultry at a much lower figure than has prevailed for a long time past. Our difficulties will be to obtain a sufficient importation of rice, flour, sugar, and other commodities usually imported from England and Europe. Unfortunately, owing to the interest accorded to the copra industry, the amount of locally-grown foodstuffs (sweet potatoes, maize, and manioc) has fallen to a minimum, and the number of breadfruit trees has been very largely reduced. The population, too, from years of comparative prosperity, has become more fastidious, and relies far more largely on a rice diet than it did

some years ago.

9. As regards the financial position, I am thankful that the issue of the Rs. 180,000 Government Currency notes has greatly relieved the situation, and I trust that the difficulties which appeared so very large at the outbreak of the war have greatly decreased.

10. The full position resulting from a state of war has been explained to the Legislative Council, and the several measures that we have passed in order to deal with the situation form the subject of separate despatches.

11. Regarding the maintenance of law and order in case of tumult, riot, or loot- ing, I have organized the local Miniature Rifle Club (whose arms are sufficiently effec- tive for use at close quarters) into a Citizens' Emergency Corps, and have further enrolled a number of the leading inhabitants as Special Police Constables, with the obligation of turning out to stiffen our small local Police Force, both in town and country districts.

12. I am glad to report that I am receiving most hearty support from my officers and councillors, and that an excellent spirit of helpfulness pervades the whole community. It is very difficult for the people here to get the right perspec- tive of what a big European war means, but they are, I think, facing the position with a firm trust in the Empire and with hearty loyalty to His Majesty.

The fact of Great Britain fighting side by side with France (with which country this Colony has so many natural ties) has been the occasion of a great outburst of loyalty to the Crown. I did not on the outbreak of war send any assurance of loyalty by cable, solely on the score of expense, as our revenue is so very small and low at the present time. I trust that this may not have been taken as any indica- tion of a want of enthusiasm among the population, whether of British or French descent, and I can assure you, Sir, the spirit of elation and enthusiasm evoked by Sir Edward Grey's speech prior to the declaration of war was very deep and sincere, and I am convinced that the feeling of all classes is as solid for our Empire and our King as in any part of His Majesty's great dominions.

have, &c.,

39032

(No. 121.)

No. 87.

C. R. M. O'BRIEN,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Governor.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 10th October, 1914.)

SIR,

Government House, Seychelles, 31st August, 1914. In continuation of my narrative report regarding the steps taken since the outbreak of the war to ameliorate local conditions (vide my despatch No. 115, of 13th August*), I have the honour to submit the following:-

2. I beg to tender my warmest thanks for your kindly interest as regards the monthly call of the British India steamers en route from Zanzibar to Bombay.

* No. 86.

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SEYCHELLES.

3. I have cabled to Chambers of Commerce in Bombay and Durban to inquire as to the prospects of sale of coco-nuts, copra, and oil, and I have taken the liberty to ask you, Sir, to use your kindly offices with Messrs. Lever Brothers, who have an agency in Durban, to assist us in finding a market for our produce. Now that cable communication has been restored merchants are becoming more active in taking the initiative to find a market. The difficulty is that planters have been so improvident they have no reserves of cash to pay their labourers, and so it is necessary to make some arrangement for advances, any way in part, on shipments. 4. I had in my mind a scheme to enhance the local price of coco-nuts or its by-products as follows:-The Government to advance a certain sum monthly, and that this sum should be augmented by myself and others (I was willing to lay aside one-third of my monthly salary for a certain number of months), with the view to purchase a certain supply of coco-nuts from the smaller proprietors in adjusted proportions, the nuts to be held until a market could be found. I calculated we might purchase from fifty to seventy-five thousand nuts in this way, and that these purchases would encourage persons with liquid funds to do likewise, and thus keep the price of the produce at a higher level. This is now in abeyance, as I am hopeful the exporters will come forward, or that the Bank of Mauritius will be inclined to make advances. My scheme was evolved during the time we were entirely isolated from communication with the outside world.

5. The issue of the local currency has considerably eased the money stringency.

8. By the last British India steamer from Bombay the Government purchase of 200 tons of rice (at a cost of Rs. 43,138) arrived; this supply has been carefully A good supply of rice and general stored, and is at present kept as a reserve.

goods was also received by merchants by this vessel. Thanks to the assistance of the Administrator of Mauritius, this Government was enabled to obtain a much needed supply of 100 cases of kerosene oil, and also a general cargo for one of the local firms by a sailing vessel coming from that port to Seychelles for guano. So long as communication with Bombay can be maintained with fair regularity, we should be able to keep up a sufficient supply of the necessities of life.

7. The planting of sweet potatoes and other local foods is progressing favourably, both on Government and private land.

8. Under cover of another despatch I am forwarding a copy of the Proclamation issued regulating the maximum price of necessities.

9. The interruption of cable communication, already reported-from mid- night on the 18th instant to midnight on 27th-occasioned a good deal of excite- ment. The occurrence of the breaks both on the Mauritius and Zanzibar lines so nearly coinciding with one another as to date was the cause of this, but it all quickly subsided. I was strongly of opinion from the first the breaks were due to natural causes.

10. Four German sailors, names as follows:-

Otto Schultz, reservist of the Navy,

Max Kock, reservist of the Infantry, Gustave Hamann, aged 19 years,

Fritz Crackan, aged 22 years,

were removed from the Norwegian sailing vessel "Carla," which arrived from Port As the two last-named are of full service age and Elizabeth on the 28th instant. physique, all have been made prisoners of war. They are being shown every consideration. A register of all prisoners of war is being kept.

11. 2nd September. Since commencing this despatch I have received a cable from the Durban Chamber of Commerce, stating Messrs. Gossage, of the Natal Soap Works, are willing to purchase all our coco-nut oil, provided an agreement can be arranged as to price, and asking that the amount available, the cost delivered at Durban. and facilities as to shipping may be stated. On receipt of this cable I called a meeting of the principal exporters and planters, and learnt that, owing to the making of copra, the oil mills in the Colony are not at present plentiful or in good order Many have become damaged through not being used, a number have been burnt as firewood, and, further, there is a scarcity of cattle to work the mills.

12. The difficulty has further arisen (as I foresaw) of obtaining anything in the shape of combination with the exporters and planters, so as to obtain a solid price. Each, partly as a result of the troubles of the past, and in a great degree * 89081: not printed.