Gnawing Dread On Mauritius

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31586, 25 January 1968, Page 11

Gnawing Dread On Mauritius

(.V.Z P A -Reuter —Copyright) LONDON, January 24. Rising food prices, 15 per cent unemployment, gloomy prospects of new taxes, half the colony’s companies losing money, and a gnawing dread of the future—all these factors underlie the violence in Mauritius, according to “The Times.’’

“As political and local organisation is complicated by 'racial loyalties and rival-

lies, violence takes a racial turn,” the newspaper's correspondent in Port Louis writes. “Trouble has long been growing, as everyone's sense of security has been eroded. It is becoming clear to Mauritians. and even to their Christian, Muslim, and Hindu religious leaders, that as the Government plans independence celebrations for March 12, the population is striding ahead of the colony’s income from sugar, and tat Mauritius is facing a financial breakdown.” The first British troops to land at Port Louis after a flight from Singapore last night patrolled the streets of the city, prepared for a fresh outbreak of racial rioting which has already claimed 17 lives and brought injury to at least 100 persons. Two Royal Navy frigates, the Zest and the Euryalus. were steaming toward the island. Port Louis was deserted this morning, with shops and offices still closed. i In London, the Commonwealth Secretary (Mr George Thomson) said he saw no reason to reconsider, because of the disturbances there, the date fixed for the independence of Mauritius.

Australian Expectancy.— Moves are afoot to improve relations between Australia and Cambodia after the recent talks between the Cambodian Head of State (Prince Norodom Sihanouk) and a senior Australian Labour Party member, Dr J. Cairns. —Singapore. Jan. 24.