TANGANYIKA TERRITORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22402, 24 April 1936, Page 14

TANGANYIKA TERRITORY

Rumours that Tanganyika Territory was likely to be restored to its former German owners have caused so much uneasiness that all the races affected—excepting, presumably, the German settlers—are organising a protest. The Territory is administered by Great Britain under a mandate granted in 1918, and confirmed by the League of Nations in 1922. Germans were given the right of entry in 1925. From the beginning of that year to 1933, 2396 had arrived and settled. Since the entire European population in 1934 numbered 8193, there is a strong German element present. However, the Europeans, all counted, are heavily outnumbered. There are 29,640 Indians occupying 327,000 acres of land, and nearly 5,000,000 natives. It is significant that the Indians are sufficiently apprehensive of a transfer of sovereignty to have decided on an appeal to Delhi against it. Whatever the feeling about British rule in India, expatriated Indians evidently do not wish to change it for German in Tanganyika. As an asset to Great Britain, the Territory does not show very well on balance. It is stated that since the war some £6,000,000 of British revenue has been spent in promoting its interests. In 1933 Britain's share of the import trade was just over 29 per cent, and in 1934 about 2?i per cent. It has been estimated that with Government purchases deducted these figures become about 25 and 23i per cent respectively. The trade figures over the past six or seven years tell a familiar tale. Japan's share rose from 10i per cent in 1931 to nearly 22i per cent in 1934. Britain is debarred by treaty obligations from establishing effective preferences. Nevertheless, unprofitable though the mandatory control may be, the appeal of the ■settlers can be expected to find a responsive ear.