CLOSER UNION OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 January 1929, Page 8

CLOSER UNION OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA.

INTERESTING EXPERIMENT IN COLONIAL GOVERNMENT

GUARDING NATIVE INTERESTS

British Official Wireless. RUGBY, .ian. IS,

Interesting proposals arc advanced in the report published to-day of tlie Hilton Young Commission on the closer union of the Dependencies in Eastern and Central Africa. The need for more effective co-opera-tion in such matters as transport, Customs, defence, and research is emphasised, but it is stated that these are of minor significance compared \v:th the need for common policy in dealing with all matters affecting the present, position and future development, of the natives and their relations with immigrant communities. The Commission, accordingly, has formulated principles on which closer union of the three Northern territories of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika might he effected, but it advocates ample opportunity for local discussion with adequate representation of unoflicial communities before any policy is settled, and a periodical review for the future. It proposes the immediate appointment of a High Commissioner for the Territories of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, with executive powers and headquarters at Mombasa for the present. Later, following the results of the High Commissioner's preliminary inquiries on native policy and economic services, a Governor-General of Eastern Africa should bo appointed in place of a High Commissioner, and ho should have the advice of a small representative Advisory Council in Ea.-ff Africa, while in London the .Secretary of State for/the Colonies should have the advice of a small advisory council and export committees on finance and transport. This, with other feature?, .such as an obligatory animal visit of the GovernorGeneral to London, and the provision for an annual report of native interests in the form of those sent to the League of Nations for territories held under mandate, emphasises (-fh)--Com-missioner’s aim to secure the closest consultation on questions of policy between East Africa and rho home government.

No changes are recommended in the Legislative coancils of Uganda and langanyika, but a majority recommendation with regard to Kenya suggests tlaa t, simultaneously with the creation of the J'ost of Governor-General, four of the official members of the Legislative council should be replaced by four unofficial members nominated to represent native interests.