CROWN COLONIES

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 66, 15 September 1921, Page 7

CROWN COLONIES

GREATER AUTONOMY

SCHEME FOR REORGANISING ADMINISTRATION.

{UNITED PttSSS ASSOCIATION.--COPYRIGHT.) (PUBU3HKP IN THE TIMES,)

LONDON, 13th September. The Times special correspondent writes: "The Colonial Office is considering a scheme for the reorganisation of the administration of Crown colonies and protectorates, designed ,to give them a greater amount of autonjomy. The main proposals are the grouping of various colonies, according to their geographical position, under High Commissioners, who will shoulder some- of the duties and, ■responsibilities, especially regarding public appointments' and finance, which will now devolve on the Secretary of State. It is anticipated that the change will ensure an important saving in the ex-, pendituro. The various groupings include the placing of Fiji, the Falklancls, and all other Crown possessions in the 'Pacific under a High Commissioner stationed at Suva. The High Commissioners will be given complete control of the Imperial military forces, as well as the local volunteers, within their jurisdiction. They will bo assisted by a council consisting of members partly elected' and partly nominated by representative electors or vested interests such as commercial, professional. and agricultural classes. The privileges and prerogatives of these have not yet been decided. NaSVe races will find representation on •tlie.council. Although the scheme is still in the process of evolution, it is believed the main principles will be along the lines mentioned."

(AUSTRALIAN - NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 13th September. Desiring to meet the Crown colonies' repeated requests lo the Colonial Office ,for a greater share in control of local affairs, especially financial, Mr: Winston Churchill proposes to create six groups of Crown colonies according to their geographical positions; each group to be .administered by n High Commissioner .assisted by a council partly elected and .partly nominated by vested interests.

The High Commissioner of the Pacific group, including the Falkland Islands, is to be stationed at Suva.