UNITED NIGERIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15499, 5 January 1914, Page 7

UNITED NIGERIA.

MESSAGE FROM THE KING.

GOOD WISHES FOR FUTURE

By TeleeraphPress Association—

(Received January 3, 5.5 p.m.)

London, January 2. The King, on the occasion of the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria has telegraphed to the Governor, Sir Frederick Lugnrd, requesting him to convey to the emirs and people His Majesty's best wishes for their future happiness and prosperity, and an assurance of the great interest he takes in their welfp ?.

Nigeria is a Brtish protectorate in West Africa, occupying the lower basin of the Niger and the country between that river and Lake Chad. The population is estimated at 15,000,000, of whom the Europeans (mostly British) number about a thousand, consisting of civil servants, soldiers, traders, or missionaries. The country has been a field for British enterprise since the 17th century, but for very many years, until legislation stopped it, slave"trading was the principal occupation of those attracted to the country. Britain's hold upon the country was developed in the first instance by chartered companies. Control over the southern portion was not taken over by the Crown until January 1, 1900, when the Royal Niger Company surrendered its charter, and, dropping the name of " royal" became a purelv trading corporation. It had held sway since 1886. Authority over Northern Nigeria was effected on the same date, the first High Commissioner being Colonel (now Sir Frederick) Lugard. The complete subjugation and organisation of that portion of the protectorate was not completed until 1903. Throughout the country all chiefs, Mahommedan and pagan, now hold their appointments under the Crown, and take the oath of allegiance to the British Sovereign. The work of unification has been held in view for some time. In February, 1906, the province of Lagos was united to Southern Nigeria and all subsequent development work has been carried out with an eye to the amalgamation, which has now been effected, of the northern and southern territories. The principal products of the country are palm oil, palm kernels, rubber, ebony and other timbers, cocoa, and cotton." Tin ore of excellent quality is mined, and alkali salts are abundant.