ADMINISTRATION TO BLAME

Southland Times, Issue 22895, 21 May 1936, Page 5

ADMINISTRATION TO BLAME

THE ZANZIBAR RIOTS. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Nairobi, May 19. The Royal Commission which has been inquiring into the rioting at Zanzibar announces that it is unable to exonerate the administration and the Agricultural Department owing to their methods in applying the law relating to the examination and export of copra.

The commission maintains that inadequate steps were taken to acquaint wild mischief-making Arabs of. the intentions of the law and there was also failure to instruct them on methods of improving their copra. It considers that the action of the police in firing on the mob was justifiable in averting a possible massacre. The commission advises the Government to watch closely and avoid similar outbreaks.

On February 9 a mob armed with swords, demonstrating against the law to prevent the adulteration of exportable copra, severely wounded three European police officers whom they cut down in the attack. An Indian officer died of wounds. Armed police restored order. The acting-Resident Commissioner, Mr lan Humphry Davy, the 35-year-old son Of Sir Humphry Rolleston, died of wounds suffered during the riots. A mob of Arabs armed with double-edged swords overwhelmed him and a group of police officers.

The rioting ceased when 75 rioters were imprisoned on a Government steamer which was lying off Zanzibar.