Needs of the Moment

Mauritius Times – 70 Years

Editorial

The Government’s acceptance of Hon JN Roy’s timely motion on the Island’s housing needs places a heavy, if not the heaviest, responsibility on the shoulders of the Minister of Housing. It is undoubtedly a promise which binds in no uncertain terms the entire Government. On this promise given solemnly in the Legislative Council hinges the future of the Labour Party, as well as the survival of parliamentary democracy in Mauritius. JN Roy was perfectly right, at least once since the last general elections, in stressing the social revolution which good housing can bring about in the lives of people who have been wallowing in shanties and slums. It therefore behoves the Labour Party to concentrate all its energies on honouring this pledge which, above all, will rehabilitate the common man now living in the most abject of conditions.

Having now agreed on the housing needs of the country we have to answer two vital questions. First, where to get the money from? And second, how to spend the money? We all know that it is impossible to muster the huge amounts required locally. With the visit of Mr Atkinson and the impression of Mr Macleod on the damage sites, the stage seems to be well set for encouraging reception to our ministerial delegation now en route to London. Mr Macleod himself told us that his government was prepared to give us “swift, substantial and sympathetic help.” But unfortunately, the impression just now is that British Government is having second thoughts. Rumour has it that we shall be given the paltry sum of £3.5 million at the current market rate of 6 or 7%. We like to think that it is just a rumour. If it is not, then we can afford to tell Mr Macleod that the meaning of the words “swift, substantial and systematic” has to be revised. Again, if what we hear 15 is not a rumour we can easily understand what has prompted second thoughts in our benevolent rulers.

Whether we like it or not the whole question of help to underdeveloped areas — immaterial of who gives or who receives the help — is conditioned by the exigencies of international politics. Mauritius counts for little in the great gambles of international politics or the Cold War. Mauritius has no oil, no gold, no tin, no rubber and unfortunately it is not found in the Middle East where every big power is trying to acquire or to keep as much foothold as possible. Everyone knows also that Mauritius can never become a Cyprus. Mauritians must wake up to the fact that they are living in a world where the sympathy of benefactors is often determined by what they can extract from those they help. Be it as it may, it is clear that it is difficult to discern what is the mood now prevailing in the Colonial Office. Our ministers must make it clear that they are not going to London with begging bowls.

From wherever we get money, we must know how to spend intelligently. It’s here that the Ministry of Mr Razack Mohamed assumes its real and vital importance. Given the required sums of money, he may well change the face of this country. What are his housing plans? We do not know. We expect that when he comes back, he will tell the country at a press conference and at MBS what his intentions are. Meanwhile we would make some suggestions. He must not follow the beaten track. New settlements and new townships have to be created. He must not provide houses only for the well-to-do as the Town Councils have been doing but he must try to get the workers out of the mud-huts. His target must be: “Not a single straw hut in this place when my term of office ends.” It will not be difficult to ensure that every worker gets a house like the one which the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee is about to give to the labourers of the sugar industry.

We would also suggest that the present organisation of the Mauritius Agricultural Bank be changed and brought up to date. The public has very little faith in it and the procedure seems to be too cumbersome. Now that a new man has come to take charge of it, we hope that there will be a change for the better. Then the Government could channel substantial sums of money through it to the public — of course for rebuilding and not to pay debt.

Because we have to ask for money from outside, we have been wondering whether our planners have made a big mistake by favouring too much cement contructions. It is well-known that many wooden buildings properly built have been able to resist as terrible a cyclone as Carol. Why therefore should we insist on wasting much of our money on cement? Are we sure that we have thoroughly explored the potentialities of local timber? This is a matter which our Ministers should study in London. At any rate the views of Mr Atkinson will be interesting on this matter. So, we say bon voyage and good luck to our ministers.

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Employment of Women

Some time ago in the Legislative Council, Hon Dr Teeluck complained that female nursing students were recruited instead of male. He emphasized that male students should be given the opportunity to secure these posts.

In our last issue we too protested against that decision. At last Friday’s sitting of the Legislative Council, the Member for Poudre d’Or raised that question. He said that it seemed that the pet theory of some people to replace men by women, even in male wards, bade fair to succeed. He pointed out that since last year not only female students have been recruited but nurses have also been posted in some male wards at the Civil Hospital. The Member said that it was not a farsighted policy to appoint women in posts which by right belong to men, especially when scores of male School Certificate holders are without a job. The startling fact about it is that these girls have neither the educational qualifications nor the personality which men candidates usually possess.

Replying to the protests, the Minister of Health, Hon. Forget, said that it was not the intention of his Ministry to replace male nurses by females. It was found necessary to recruit more female students because more nurses were required to attend to babies, children, expectant mothers and orthopaedic cases. Further, he remarked, there was a heavy wastage among female nurses: many of them left their job once they got married.

The public will be pleased with the assurance given by the Minister of Health.

7th Year – No 300
Friday 27th May, 1960

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 18 April 2025