Britain’s Colonial Empire: Many Phases Discussed

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1938, Page 5

Britain’s Colonial Empire : Many Phases Discussed

(Received 8.30 a.rn.) RUGBY. June 11. A report on Britain’s Colonial Empire in 1937-38, containing a review on broad lines—but not intended to be exhaustive —of the more important development in the colonial dependencies, has been issued 1 in fulfilment of the undertaking given in the course of the debate last year in the House of Commons on the colonial estimates. The largest part of the report is devoted to matters of general interest such as defence, the colonial service, economics and finance, agriculture, forestry, public health, education and labour questions. Defence Policy. On defence, it is noted that the Governments of Ceylon, Nigeria and Sierra Leone passed legislation foi; establishing naval and volunteer defence forces, and the Government of the Gold Coast is making similar provision.

The reorganisation of the Royal West African Frontier Force is nearing completion, and similar reorganisation has been taken in hand in various other African possessions. The Straits Settlements’ yc-lunteer air force is to be expanded. The report mentions, with appreciation, the number of colonial gifts towards the cost of Imperial defence. Labour and Conciliation. It is made clear in the report that the steps being taken in many colonies to set up machinery as special labour departments, or inspectorates, are calculated to obviate the possibility of an outbreak of labour trouble owing to lack of ventilation of grievances and proper conciliation machinery. It is still necessary, however, for many colonial legislatures to revise their existing enactments to bring 1 their labour codes up to the levels now held to be consonant with modern conditions and outlooks.