PROPOSED TO FORM NORTH EAST AFRICAN DOMINION

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6808, 11 January 1929, Page 3

PROPOSED TO FORM NORTH EAST AFRICAN DOMINION

COMPOSED OF TANGANYIKA, KENYA, AND PROTECTORATE,

In a recent article, the London Daily Express gives an account of a great scheme of Empire development by the proposed creation of a North-East African Dominion.

It would bo composed of the present Tanganyika Territory, Kenya Colony, and Protectorate. They have a combined area of about 700,000 squaremiles, nearly eight times the size of Great Britain apd a population of more than 10,000,000, The wonderful natural wealth and resources of this region are, as yet, almost untapped. Scientific development which would be possible under unified control, might well make it one of the richest States of the Empire. Schemes of federation and closer union between the three East African territories have been discussed for some time, but the new plan goes much further than federation.

A commission headed by Sir Hilton Young went to East Africa early lastyear to study closer union between the various States. The report ofthecommision is expected to be presented to Parliament early this year. The visit of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Gloucester may prove to have an important bearing on the future of the three territories-. They have had the opportunity as independent observers, of making themselves acquainted with the conditions of the country and the views of the native rulers. The fact that the princes separated extended these opportunities. Although the expenses of the Prince’s visit arc borne privately, that docs not prevent it having a public importance. It might seem at the first view that an obstacle to the scheme would be the fact that Great Britain holds Tanganyika, which was once German territory, under a mandate from the League of Nations.

Mandates, however, are of different kinds ,and the Tanganyika mandate would possibly be no bar to thc .schemc. Article 10 of the mandate expressly authorises the mandatory Pow'er “to constitute the territory into a customs fiscal, and administrative union or federation with the adjacent territories under his own sovereignty or control provided always that the measures adopted to that end do not infringe the provisions of this mandate.” Following are some particulars of the three territories: —

Kenya. —Area, 225,100 square miles; estimated population, 2,730,517; produces rice, cocoanuts, cotton, ground nuts, coffee, sugar, rubber, ebony, gold. Governor, Sir Edward Grigg. Uganda—Area, 91,204 square miles; estimated population, 3,130,946; produces cotton, coffee, mbber, cocoa. Governor, Sir W. F. Gowers. Tanganyika.—Area, - 373.500 square miles; estimated population, 4,323,330; produces cotton, coffee, sisal fibre, cocoanuts, tobacco, coal, iron, gold, lead, and copper known to exist. Governor, Sir D. G.' Cameron.