Guy Rozemont is no more
Mauritius Times 60 Years Ago —
Guy Rozement made his debut in political life under the guidance of Dr Maurice Curé one the founders of the Mauritius Labour Party
Jos Guy Rozemont, President of the Mauritius Labour Party, died yesterday (Thursday 22 March 1956) at 6 pm at the Victoria Hospital, Quatre Bornes.
In the death of Guy Rozemont disappears one of the most prominent figures of our political life. During the last ten years he had been a truly active politician and a dynamic leader.
Guy Rozement made his debut in political life under the guidance of Dr Maurice Curé, one the founders of the Mauritius Labour Party. He was a self made man. He started life very humbly. When Emmanuel Anquetil became the head of the Labour Movement, Rozement became his right hand man. As an orator he was very convincing, humourous and could command the most tumultuous audience.
He has been President of the Mauritius Trade Union Congress and office bearers in several trade union organisations. In fact he has done pioneering work in the field of trade-unionism and his share in promoting the advancement of the proletariat is invaluable.
He was elected for the first time to the Legislative Council in 1948 as the first Member for Port Louis. In the Legislative Council and on the several boards and committees where he was sitting his sincerity of purpose and straightforwardness were always appreciated – even by those who did not hold the same political views.
In 1950 he was elected for the first time to the Municipality of Port Louis.
In the general elections of 1953 he again topped the list.
In December of the same year on behalf of the Labour Party he presented the motion requesting changes in the Constitution. In 1952 he represented the Mauritius Trade Union Congress at the International Conference of Free Trade Union held in Geneva.
In July 1955 he went in the delegation which left for London to discuss constitutional changes with the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Guy Rozemont was always the friend of the humble and never failed to given a sympathetic hearing to the complaints of his constituents. Simplicity and service were in his blood. He never feared to express his opinions and very often because of his frankness he was threatened by unruly people. Twice he was even assaulted by some people who could not see eye to eye with his views.
In September 1954 his wife died and it marked a turning point in his life. Since then his health which was not so sound deteriorated and he was compelled to spend quite a long period at hospital.
Guy Rozemont is not more. It will be difficult to find somebody else to replace him in the labour movement.
In the Labour Party meetings people will not more hear the sympathetic, friendly and humourous voice of the poor and sincere worker whose whole life has been laid down for the advancement of the down-trodden.
Rozemont is no more but the memory he leaves behind will remain forever as a source of inspiration to the working class of this country.
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Admit Our Children Campaign
The Secretary of State writes to the Editor, Mauritius Times
Mr B. Ramlallah
23, Bourbon Street, Port Louis
Sir,
Further to this office letter No 14122 of the 6th February about the admission of children to primary schools, I am directed to inform you that the Secretary State has instructed that you should be informed that he has received and considered your representations.
- The Secretary of State understands that the non-admittance of children in primary schools is due chiefly to the very rapid increase in the population of the Colony, which has outstripped the rate at which educational and other facilities can be provided and that there is a serious risk that ad hoc expedients to increase the number of admissions would lead to the damaging dilution of the content of primary education. Nevertheless, the Secretary of State is given to understand that certain measures designed to assist in a solution of this problem are being considered by the Mauritius Government and that while it remains the objective of Colonial Government, with which the Secretary of State heartily concurs, to provide primary education for all children with the less possible delay and providing the educational structure is not damaged, no definitive timetable has been or can be set for the achievement of this objective.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant
(Sdg) I. Simpson
For Colonial Secretary
The Secretariat, Port Louis 16th March, 1956
An Appeal
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