WEST INDIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 70, 23 March 1940, Page 5

WEST INDIES.

BRITISH PROMISE

Commission's Report Not To Be Pigeon-Holed. WILL ACT ENERGETICALLY. lirilish Official Wirclrj.s. (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, March 22. Both Houses of Parliament adjourned yesterday for Easier. Colonial development and Ibe recommendations of (lie Moync Commission for the West Indies were raised in (lie adjournment debate in the House of Commons. The Colonial Secretary, Mr. Malcolm -MacUoiiiild, said that there was complete agreement between members in all parts of the House as to the main objective of the lirilish colonial policy—the steady improvement of conditions and tlio promotion of the well-being- of inhabitants of the Colonial Empire.

Taking up the point mentioned by one member,' Mr. MacDonnld said that he was very anxious lo encourage (he production of llax ill Kenya and to increase

Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald. it as far as possible during the war. Certain arrangements had been made about providing seed and lie could assure the House that everything that could bo done to promote flax production in Kctiva during tile war would bo done by the Colonial Office and by the authorities in the colony itself. "Far From Complacent." Coming to the West Indies. Mr. MaeDonald said tlic Government was venial- from complacent about the state of affairs which bad been revealed. "The Government pledged itself before the Co ission started that when it presented in report and reco Herniations tliev would not lie put in a pigeonhole and forgotten. We have pledged ourselves lo act energetically to the best of our ability, and judgment on ils recommendations.

"The Government is fullv determined to carrv out. that pledge io the uttermost, and the people of the West Indies can rest assured that the word of the British Government and the word of this House will be faithfully adhered to."

Sir. Mac Donald pointed out that in a recent statement the Government had accepted straight away, without qtialilieations. some of the most important recommendations of (lie Royal Commis-

sion. He asked to be excused from giving to-day any expression of views on matters which must he <lce.lt with by the West Indian Governors with whom he was consulting, but he would make a statement as soon us possible.

He thought the debate had shown that the Government and the whole House was committed to carrving out in general the recommendation's of the Royal Commission, and he hoped the debate would reinforce the impression created in the West Indies that Britain was going to be as good as its word in this matter.