ZANZIBAR RIOTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22424, 21 May 1936, Page 11

ZANZIBAR RIOTS

COMMISSION'S FINDING OFFICIALS' RESPONSIBILITY NAIROBI, May 19 The Commission which is inquiring into the rioting that occurred at Zanzibar early in February announces that it cannot exonerate the Administration and the Agricultural Department owing to theirjnethods of applying the law relating to the examination of exports of copra. The Commission maintains that inadequate steps were taken to acquaint wild, mischief-making Arabs with the intentionsi of the law, also that the authorities failed to instruct them in methods of improving copra. It considers that the police were justified in firing on the mob in order to avert a possible massacre, and advises the Government to watch closely so as to avoid similar outbreaks. Riots occurred in Zanzibar on February 7, when a mob armed with swords and demonstrating against the law to prevent the adulteration of exportable conra severely wounded three European police officers. An Indian police officer died of wounds and four rioters were killed and two wounded. Armed police restored order. The acting Resident Commissioner, Mr. Lan Humphrey Rolleston, aged 35, son of Sir Humphrey Rolleston, Physician Extraordinary to the King, died of wounds sustained in the riot. A mob of Arabs armed with double-edged swords overwhelmed him and a group of police officers.