MAURITIUS LOAN BILL. (Hansard, 23 June 1892)

§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Lord KNUTSFORD)

My Lords, I move the Second Reading of this Bill, and I desire to express, on behalf of the Government, and I am quite sure I may express it on the part of all your Lordships, our deep regret at the calamity which has overwhelmed the Colony of Mauritius, and our sympathy with the sufferers. I regret to say that the accounts which were first sent over by telegraph have unfortunately been confirmed by the despatches I have received. I may mention to your Lordships that there have been 1,200 deaths, and a vast number of wounded; that the damage to Government property and private houses is estimated at about £193,750; the injury to the crops is calculated at fifty per cent.; and to the factories and nulls there is a loss of 2,500,000 rupees. Altogether the Governor informs me that he is under-estimating the loss of every kind at 18,000,000 rupees, which is about £1,162,500. As your Lordships are aware, the Lord Mayor, at my request, was kind enough to open a subscription list, and appointed a Sub-Committee to deal with the case; very good work has been done by that Committee; and contributions have been very liberal. And perhaps I may express the pleasure with which I have heard of the kindly sympathy shown in a very practical manner by the inhabitants of the neighbouring island of Réunion. When they heard of this calamity, they called a public meeting, subscriptions flowed in, and a liberal contribution was sent over at once to Mauritius. My Lords, I also desire to express my admiration—an admiration which your Lordships will also feel—for the calm and gallant manner in which this calamity has been faced by all—by officials and unofficial; by poor and rich; and also for the exertions that have been made 1804 to meet the suffering of the poorer classes. My Lords, I have nothing more to add, because I am quite sure that your Lordships will have great pleasure in giving a Second Reading to the Bill.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

My Lords, I do not like to let this occasion pass without saying on my own behalf, and I am sure on behalf of everyone on this side of the House, how entirely I agree with every word that has been said by the noble Lord. Everyone who has heard of the frightful calamity which has befallen the Colony of Mauritius must feel the deepest and most profound sympathy with the population, not only for the immense loss of property, but for the even more terrible loss of life incurred on this occasion. My Lords, I do not think I can add anything further, except to say that we only hope that with the energy, and also the calmness, in meeting this calamity, which the noble Lord says has been evinced, the inhabitants of Mauritius may, with the assistance given, most properly, by the Government, and most cordially concurred in by this House, be able to restore Mauritius to its former condition of prosperity.