FOR CLOSER UNION OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6815, 21 January 1929, Page 7

FOR CLOSER UNION OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA

Seat at Mombasa

INTERESTING EXPERIMENT IN COLONIAL GOVERNMENT GUARDING NATIVE INTERESTS. British Official Wireless. RUGBY, Jan. 18. Interesting proposals arc advanced in the report published to-day of the 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 with 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 be effected, but it advocates ample opportunity for local discussion with adequate representation of unofficial 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 be appointed in plaeo of a High Commissioner, and ho should have the advice of a small representative Advisory Council in East Afriea, while in London tho Secretary of State for the Colonics should have tho advice of a small advisory couucil and expert committees on finance and transport. This, with other features, such as an obligatory annual visit of the GovernorGeneral to London, and tho 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 the Commissioner’s aim to secure the closest consultation on questions of policy between East Africa and the home government.

No changes arc recommended in tho Legislative councils of Uganda and' Tanganyika, but a majority recommendation with regard to Kenya suggests that, simultaneously with the creation of the post of Governor-General, four of the official members of the Legislative council should be replaced by four unofficial members nominated to represent native interests.