FINANCIAL AID FOR THE COLONIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 44, 22 February 1940, Page 6

FINANCIAL AID FOR THE COLONIES

BRITISH GOVERNMENT PLAN

FIVE MILLIONS ANNUALLY FOR TEN YEARS

iEi Telegraph—Frees Association—Copyright) Received Feb. 21. 7.5 p.m. LONDON. Feb. 20. The Colonial Office has just released a statement of ils policy toward the dependent Empire, which includes not only Crown Colonies, but also Protectorates and Mandated Territories under Colonial Office control. The statement begins with reference to the recoinnienilations of the West Indian Royal Commission, which arc published simultaneously. Action on these reconunendations is being taken forthwith. His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom accept important proposals for a central organisation, presided over by a Comptroller, lor planning the further development of welfare services in the West Indies, anti will provide under the arrangements set out below, for expenditure in the West Indies on the scale proposed by the Commission. In advance of these arrangements a special sum of £350.00(1 sterling will be provided for such schemes as can be begun immediately.

The statement then proceeds to announce the policy on the broad question of the development and welfare of the Colonial Empire as a whole. “Though unhappily the intervention of war may inevitably affect the rate of advance, the Government propose to proceed with their policy of development as far and as fast as [ the exigencies of the times permit.' “His Majesty’s Government in the j United Kingdom are trustees for the | well-being of the peoples of the , Colonial Empire and the spontaneous- 1 and wholehearted support given by the inhabitants of every territory to the common war effort is the best [ testimony to their appreciation of the | way in which this trust is being dis- ; charged. The primary aim of colonial policy is to protect and advance the j interests of the inhabitants of the : colonies.” “If full and balanced development [ is to be obtained and if Colonial Gov- ' ernments are to be placed in a posilion to maintain administrative, tech- ! nical and social services at the proper i standard, some assistance from out- ■ side is necessary at this stage.” £12,000.000 Already Spent Much has been done already. The United Kingdom Exchequer has pro\ided £12.000.000 in the last ten years to meet the deficits of colonial budgets. The Colonial Development Fund has provided some £5.000 000 . with commitments of another £1.600,- ' 000 for economic development. Th*' Government now propose to invite Parliament to approve an extension of this policy. The fund has . been primarily for material develop- I ment and capital expenditure, and its ' existence has n°t involved any departure from the old principle that a j colony should have only tho.-° s*T- , \ ices which it can afford and maintain out of its nwn resources. This j principle now calls for revision, and the Government propose that in appropriate cases money should h»* made available for the maintenance of • important works or services over a ■ substantial period of years. They I propose to introduce legislation to re- . place the Colonial Development Fund i which is limited to a maximum of £l.000,000 a year, by new arrangements, i providing in a new vote in the esti- . mates for assistance to Colonial Gov- ; ernments up to a maximum of £5.000.- ! 000 a year for ten years. This assist- , ar.ee will be available not only for : schemes involving capital expenditure necessary for colonial development in j the widest sense, but also for helping ; to meet current expenditure in the | colonies on certain services such as | agriculture, education, health and I housing.” Colonial Research Separate provision is also lo o.? made for colonial research (hitherto assisted out of the Colonial Development Fund), up to a maximum of £500.090 a year, to be administered with the assistance of a new Research Advisorv Committee. The proposal follows th? suggestion made by Lord Hailev in h'.s “African Survey.” The intention is that £5.000.0W am. £500.000 a year respectively should be the maximum figures. It must take time to frame careful plans of development and research and tn iranslate them into operation. “These maximum figure- have been tea* Iw l after estimating what expenditure seems desirable and practicable for a reasonable period of years ahead. They will be subject to review from time to time. and. should experience that (hay are insufficient, it "ill always be open t« Parliament to increase them. So far as concerns tin provision for development and welfare. the position v ill have to he reviewed before the expiry of the initial 10-year period." "It will be noted that these measure., of assistance by the taxpayers of the United Kingdom will be extended without distinction not only to all British colonies and protectorates. but also to all territories administered by the Government under the mandatory system. The Hign Commission territories in South Africa would be included. Improving Economic Position The first emphasis will be on the improvement of the economic position of the colonies, upon which advance in other directions is largely consequential. since it is only thereby that txe colonies will be able to provide the services which the interests of their peoples demand. Reference is made to the growing practice of visits by Colonial Office officials and technical advisers to the colonies. “The contacts so made -.re of value both to the colonies and to the Colonial Office and it may well be that the preparation and execution of the development programme will make more regular travelling desirable.” The Government propose to invite the colonies to prepare development programmes for a period of years ahead, where this has not already been done, even if war conditions may retard their execution. These programmes will then be considered in London. From Lon.don there will be assist-

) ance and guidance but no spirit of 1 dictation. “The new policy of de--1 i velopment will involve no derogation ■ from the rights and privileges "of local legislatures, upon which rests a - large measure of responsibility for the - i improvement of the conditions in their » iseveral territories and upon whose . co-operation the Government count ’ with confidence.’’ The whole effort - will be one of collaboration between i Ihc authorities in the colonies and :those at home to promote the pros- -' perity and happiness of the peoples