NATIVE INTERESTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19982, 6 July 1939, Page 5

NATIVE INTERESTS

PLEDGE BY BRITAIN AFRICAN PROTECTORATES TRANSFER POSSIBILITIES CONDITIONS OUTLINED (Eire. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m. RUGBY, July 5. The Dominions Secretary, Sir Thos. In skip, ‘told the House of Commons yesterday that 'he had recently received from the South African Government a draft of a memorandum in which, in accordance 'with the MacDonaldHertzog agreement of March, 1938, South Africa set forth terms under which the transfer of 'South African protectorates, if decided upon, should rake place.

Sir Thomas Inskip could not say when the memorandum would be made public toy the Union Government. He added: “The object of the issue of the memorandum is to enable the inhabitants of the territories to judge what the position, .would toe in the event 6f d transfer.’’

It had been made clear on several occasions that Britain would not make any decision regarding a transfer until the inhabitants, native as well as Europeans, had been consulted, and no final conclusion would toe reached until Parliament toad had the opportunity of discussing it. There was no question of varying that pledge.

Further questioned, Sir Thomas Inskip said: “I am not able to say when further discussions will take place witn the native or other representatives, but the fullest consideration will 'be given to the wishes and the interests of the natives.”