Immigration and Dictatorship

From Our Archives: A Glimpse Into 1960

Before the Mauritius Immigration Mission arrived in British Guiana, there had been a report that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was considering the suitability of the Rupununi for large-scale settlement from the Communist state of Kerala in South India. The report alleged that Indian immigration had been discussed at a meeting of the Party’s Executive held at Freedom House, but the Government had not yet started negotiations with the Indian Government. The report found its way “over the air”, and all those who were inclined to dismiss it as of little consequence were startled by the attitude of the Hon Brindley Benn, who was then acting Leader of the Majority Party. Mr Benn became incensed presumably by the leakage of so important a secret, and he used the Government’s influence with the Radio Stations to have them broadcast a retraction. After all this typically Communist ceremonial humbug, the Government issued a statement, published in the Chronicle on September 2, that Mauritians wanted to settle in British Guiana…

Mauritian delegates – Veerasamy Ringadoo and Harold Walter – seen here with the Governor of British Guiana in 1960

Cheddi Jagan knows that he has lost considerable support between 1957 and 1960, and he sees in immigration the opportunity to bolster his diminishing influence in the farming and agricultural constituencies. The mere fact that immigration is a topic of discussion among Government Ministers, and an investigating mission arrived at this time when the roll of underemployed and unemployed is nearing 80,000, shows that Jagan’s aim to retain power in perpetuity transcends the welfare of the workers of this country. Indian settlers at this time, then, are indispensable to the triumph of the PPP from now onwards to independence — and after…

Evasive Statement

The economy of Mauritius, like this country’s, is based on sugar; and the socio-economic environment is so historically like our own that it offers little difficulty to agitating demagogues to convert historical prejudices (against capital and imperialism) into active political agents. Half-a-million Mauritians scattered in constituencies from the Corentyne to Georgetown and to the Rupununi would enable the People’s Progressive Party to sweep the entire country at general elections. As this is the Party’s avowed aim, we have no doubt that the initiative for the Mission’s investigation came from the Party with a vested interest in consolidating racial support.

We are not against immigration provided the new people do not take the bread out of our people’s mouths. But we are against immigration being used as an instrument for keeping one party in power everlastingly. On September 2 we published a statement by the Government which was evasively and suspiciously worded. The statement excused Government of any complicity in the Mission’s investigations — but really it accused Government of complicity. Apart from the Government’s statement being laboriously self-absolving, it was contradictory and naive.

The statement said: “The Government of British Guiana is aware that no practical help can be extended to Mauritius without immediately aggravating the already grave problem in British Guiana of rising unemployment, rapidly increasing population, and difficulty in securing adequate finance for accelerating agricultural and industrial development.

“The British Guiana Government is nevertheless in sympathy with the Mauritian people and may be able to extend support to any representations that Government may make elsewhere for the amelioration of the situation in Mauritius.”

If our government knows that “no practical help can be extended to Mauritius without aggravating the already grave problem in British Guiana,” why did it not discourage the Mission from coming? Their coming would appear to us to have been a costly and disturbing piece of extravagance, unless there was some understanding that their findings would be implemented later. We have got to watch these embryo dictators closely, always bearing in mind that the People’s Progressive Party is determined to remain in office forever, and any sort of immigration that consolidates the Party’s strength helps them along the road of one-party rule.

Unemployment

The PPP is unscrupulous enough to pile immigration on unemployment. The figures in the McGale report on employment in British Guiana, which were frightening when they were first released, have now developed appalling proportions. The breakdown in these figures, from 1959 to 1964, was based on the assumption that Government’s economic policies would be geared to the provision of employment. As we showed on Sunday, the funds allocated for development have not all been used for the first half of this year; therefore, the McGale hypothesis of a breakdown in the unemployment figures itself has broken down!…

By Daily Chronicle
British Guiana

7th Year – No 322
Friday 28th October, 1960

Obituary

Mohabeer Burrenchobay

Mohabeer Burrenchobay, a distinguished figure in Mauritian public life, passed away peacefully at his home on Curepipe Road last Monday. Mauritius mourns the loss of a remarkable son, and the Indo-Mauritian community reflects on the pioneering role he played. His cremation at Bigara cemetery was attended by a large number of friends and colleagues, a fitting tribute to the prominent place he held in Mauritian society.

A Career in Public Service

Mr Burrenchobay embarked on his career in the Civil Service in 1913 as a Second Grade Clerk. He began at the Treasury, where he served under Sir Allan Granham, who would later become Colonial Secretary and repeatedly act as Officer Administering the Government. From the outset, Mr Burrenchobay showed great promise, but his enduring legacy rests on his role as the acknowledged “father of the Cooperative Movement in Mauritius.”

This highly beneficial movement was initially proposed by Mr Campbell, who drew upon his experience with cooperative services in India. Mr Campbell found an exceptionally energetic and intelligent colleague in Mr Burrenchobay, who leveraged his full capacity to stimulate and nurture the Cooperative Movement across the island.

Key Role in Labour Reforms

Mr Burrenchobay’s influence extended significantly during the 1937 sugar industry disturbances. The strike by sugar workers was rooted in the deep-seated grievances of small planters. Following the events, when the Labour Department was established in 1938, Mr Burrenchobay, alongside Mr Abdul Rajack Osman, became a principal adviser to the Government on necessary reforms. They served as vital pillars of strength and counsel to the authorities during this critical period. Much of the subsequent beneficial reforms and positive changes implemented in the aftermath of the strike are widely credited to Mr Burrenchobay’s insight, vision, and leadership.

Leadership in the Cooperative Department

The Cooperative Department, which initially operated as a branch of the Department of Agriculture, achieved independence approximately twelve years ago. Mr Bodkin, who had recently retired as Director of Agriculture, was appointed to lead the new department. Mr Burrenchobay, who had served for many years as the ‘de facto’ chief of the cooperative section, was formally appointed as his Deputy. Upon Mr Bodkin’s retirement, Mr Burrenchobay was appointed to act as the Registrar of the Cooperative Department, a position from which he retired from Government Service a few years later.

Community and Social Contribution

Beyond his official duties, Mr Burrenchobay will be remembered for his extensive social work. Notably, he was responsible for building the ‘Shivala’ of Plaine Magnien and contributed significantly over the years to the rejuvenation of Hinduism in Mauritius.

The writer of this obituary respectfully salutes the memory of this pioneer who paved the way for future generations across numerous fields of Mauritian life.

Santosh K. Kissoon

* * *

Extract From ‘Colonial Office List’

BURRENCHOBAY, Mohabeer, MBE — born 1891; educated Royal College, Mauritius; appointed monitor, schools department, Mauritius, 1911; writer, treasury, 1913; clerk, treasury, 1915; inspector co-operative credit societies, 1927; assistant-registrar, 1933 joint registrar, 1941; deputy registrar, 1947; author of “A brief Account of the Co-Operative Movement in Mauritius” and “Advantages and Safeguards of Unlimited Liability.”

(Published in MT, 4 Nov 1960)

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 28 November 2025