WELFARE OF COLONIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 February 1940, Page 7

WELFARE OF COLONIES

BRITAIN’S GENEROUS POLICY

URGE GRANTS-IN-AID

[bbitish official wibeless.]

RUGBY, February 20

The Government’s statement of policy on colonial development and welfare, which was issued as a' White Paper, to-day, represents the mostimportant development in colonial policy for many years. At the same time as the White Paper, the recommendations of the West India Royal Commission were also issued, about which the White Paper says that the Commission’s important. proposals, that a central organisation be .elected, presided over by the Comptroller, for the purpose of the further development of welfare .services in the'West Indies, have been accepted by the Government. Although the remainder of the Commission’s recommendations are still the subject of consultation with the West Indian administrations, the Government is anxious to act as early as possible, in the spirit of the recommendations as a whole, and this will result in a future statement of policy. The Government proposes providing a special sum of £350,000 for such schemes as can be immediately begun in certain of these colonies.

“While the Royal Commission has been examining the situation in the West Indies, the Commission has been investigating the situation in th'e colonial Empire generally,” the White Paper continues. “The time has- arrived to announce the Government policy on this broad question. Though the unhappy intervention of the war may conceivably affect the rate of advance, the Government proposes to proceed with its policy of development as fast as the exigencies of the times will permit.” ■ •

Declaring the British Government to be trustees for the well-being of the peoples of the colonial Empire, and acknowledging the spontaneous support given by the inhabitants to the common war effort, the White Paper proceeds: “The primary aim of the colonial policy is to protect and advance the interests of the inhabitants of the colonies. Although much has been accomplished already, further development of the natural resources of the territories can be brought about, so as to -improve the inhabitants’ standard of life.’ Some colonies are strengthening their own economic positions and are improving social conditions, in others adjustment of taxations would, without injustice, raise larger revenues. Nevertheless. if full and balanced development is to be obtained, and if the colonial Governments are to be placed in a position to maintain their administrative, technical and social services, it is proper that some assistance from outside is necessary at this stage.” The White Paper’ summarises past assistance to the colonies from the United Kingdom.

LEGISLATION AND RESEARCH

The Colonial Development Fund, the White Paper explains, was instituted in 1929, with a view to “promote commerce with or industry in the United Kingdom,” and limited to a maximum of £1,000,000 in each year. The fund involved no departure from the old principle, that a colony should have only services which its own resources could maintain. “This principle now calls for revision, and the Government proposes in appropriate cases that money from new sources which it has in mind to provide, shall be made available for the maintenance of important' works or services over a substantial period of years,” Hitherto, emphasis in the scop© of the fund has been placed on material development, mainly of a capital and non-recurring nature. The Government now proposes legislation whereby the maximum amount available under. the fund will be increased to £5,000,000 yearly for 10 years, and the expenditure therefrom enabled to cover recurring expenditure, and such items as agriculture, education, health, and housing. Research calls for special treatment, and additional provision is made for this item to a maximum expenditure of £500,000 yearly. These, the White Paper points out, are maximum figures, and are not expected to be reached at once. “It will be noted that these.; measures of assistance by the taxpayers of the United Kingdom will be extended without distinction, not only to British colonies and protectorates, but also to all territories, administered by the Government under' the mandatory system.” The White Paper emphasises that the colonies, by improving their economic position, can supply their own desirable social services, and assistance from Britain should be related to what the colonies cannot do for themselves. It is essential, therefore, that there should be close co-opera-tion between the Home and colonial Governments, and r with this aim in view, an /expansion of the Colonial Office staff has been made, including a separate Social Services . Department, for dealing with such services as health,‘housing and education.

Appreciation is expressed of the

VARIETY OF PROBLEMS and needs, and the Government’s policy is not to impose a uniform system throughout the Colonial Empire, although development must proceed upon a balanced and comprehensive plan. The Colonial Governments are invited to prepare development programmes for a period of years ahead, and to submit them without loss of time, thus affording the Colonial Office and its advisory committees, which it . is proposed to . set up, a comprehensive, view of the needs and proposals for the Colonial Empire as a whole. “From London, there will be assistance and .guidance, -but no spirit of dictation.” Interpreting the Government White Paper, an authoritative quarter in London pointed out the importance of such far-reaching developments in the traditional policy of trusteeship, involving an expenditure of £5,000,000 over the next ten years. It is emphasised that this decision has not been taken because of the war, and that the grants are not in the nature of; as it were, a bribe.to the colonies. In fact the new policy. was outlined before the outbreak of hostilities, and

it is noteworthy that its execution was decided upon in spite of the heavy financial commitments of Britain in the present struggle. The policy is also considered here as the best possible visible proof of the falsity of the familiar German argument that Britain exploits her colonies. Financial assistance to the colonies in the- form of grants, and not a' loan, for which the Government is. seeking Parlia-mentary-authority, shoWs that Britain, while far from extracting native tribute t<2- the European war, in fact makes the British taxpayer bear an additional burden for the benefit of the social and economic improvement of the welfare of native peoples. Finally, it is considered as significant evidence of Britain's confidence that victory is assured, if the country, in the middle of the war, is ready to embark upon a costly long-term colonial development scheme.