CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913 — Page 308

3.

The Governments of all the

West Indian Colonies mentioned by the

Delegates have signified their

willingness to adhere to the Convention

and to take steps to procure the

necessary legislation to carry out its

provisions.; But only a few of these

Colonies have as yet actually passed

$.

such legislation.

The Colony of

Mauritius and some of the West Indian

Colonies to which reference is made,

have legislatures in which there is an

unofficial majority, and although

the Executive Government, in whose

hands such matters rest, may agree

to the signature of the Convention

there is no certainty that the

legislature will pass the necessary

legislation to give effect to the

provisions of the Convention.

If, as is possible, though not, in Mr.

Harcourt's opinion, probable, one or

more of the legislatures in question

le.

should

307

should refuse to enact the necessary

measures the position will be that while

the Goverment of the Colony has agreed

to be bound by the provisions of the

Convention it is unable to give any effect

thereto.

4.

The Bahamas and the three

Colonies of the Windward Islands (Grenada

St. Lucia, and St. Vincent) have passed

the necessary legislation, and the

Convention may be formally signed on

behalf of those Colonies without further

delay, if Sir E. Grey so desires. The

other Colonies (Barbados, Bermuda, British

Guiana, British Honduras, the Leeward

B Hand Or has

Ron

4/143

Islands and Mauritius)will be asked to

expedite the passing of legislation on

the subject, but, though it may be antici-

pated with some confidence that these

Colonies will eventually adhere to the

Convention, r. Harcourt would prefer,

for