CENTRAL AFRICA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 279, 6 August 1889, Page 3

CENTRAL AFRICA.

"♦ — ■. •■• There is reason to believe that Lord Salisbury has at last decided to take a forward step in South Africa which will finally close the chapter of intermittent annexation in the squthera half of the Dark Continent. After harking back for some time when it was proposed to establish a chartered company for Matabe'e and Mashonaland, the Government is now believed to be not. indisposed to grant a charter to a gigantic amalgamated company; comppaed of (1) the African Lakes Company, (2) Lord Gifford's Company, apd (3) Mr Cecil Rhodes' Company, which' will undertake to cojour- all tint is left of unai^n'oprirtted Centra Africa

British, red. i Tlie Times publishes from an obviously inspired correspondent a statement from which we make the following extracts: — Other individuals and other companies have b* en trying to do on fcbe south of the Zambesi what the Lakes Company have done "with Some success on the north. It is proposed, therefore, that the African Lakes Company shall be merged in n greater chartered com pany, which shall be permitted to take over the administration of all those countries north and south of Zambesi where at present British influence is predominant and where no settled Government ex : sts. The whole region to be included would lie betweeji the south >eDd of - Tanganyika,*^ west! shores of Nyassa, -I the southern boundaries of the Congo Free State, and the western and eastern possessions of Portugal, down to the frontiers ol the Be huanaland protectorate. As to the Shire Highlands, no doubt the great missionary work of which that i« the centre can be carried on without Portuguese interference,, as Lord Salisbury assured that deputation the other day. But surely, apart from that, in some part of the great region indicated, in the highlands on the west of Nyassa, in the unvivalled and richly watered Mashona p ateau on tha south of the Zambesi, in the lands between Nyassa and Tangan yiki, centres of missionary work could te established, the influences from which might spread over all the region Not only is the vast country indicated one of the richest regions in Cental Africa, but by bringing it under British influence communications could be established from the Cape to the Nile. The missionaries and traders would be independent of Portugal and of the Lower Zambesi, foi already the money is available to start a railway from the Cape frontier to the Zambesi, a means of communication much more effectual than any by the uncertain river. The tel> graph would 'advance simu'taneously, and roads practicable for waggons would be made in all directions. In short, what has Veen done elsewhere in Africa by British enterprise, in the form of chartered companies, with the assent and under the patronage of the British Crown, will be done here for the civilization and development of the continent. Lord Salisbury's firm stand in his addiess already ref err- d to is assurance enough that no trouble need be anticipated On the side of Portugal ; while the native chiefs are everywhere favourable to the arrangement, and in most cases hflve concluded treaties with the African Lakes Company, or with other Hritish corporations concerned in this vast enterprise. The most cordial co-operation of the Imperial British East Africa < ompany's assured ; leading financiers of England and the Cape are the main supporters of the enterprise ; and a certain philanthropic e'ement is not wanting in the proposed board of directors.