Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1898. A Story of Colonisation.

Manawatu Herald, 14 May 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1898. A Story of Colonisation.

The story of the acquisition of the country bordering on the river Ni^er is just an illustration of the way Englishmen have acquired new territories for the British flag to fly over. It is this successful dealing with savage races that places Britons far away in tha front rank of colonisers. After the discovery of the course of the Lower Niger, in 1829, the British Government endea voured to develops the trade and navigation of the river, but as with most government attempts, they failed, and it was left; to the pluck and resources of private firms to accomplish these objects. For years the nearest British possession to the Niger was the little colony of Lagos and the neighbouring strip of coast, with a population of some 40,000. Towards the end of the seventies steps were taken to amalgamate the small British firms which alone traded to the Niger and these were formed into the United African Cora pany. Soon afterwards a strong French company entered the Niger, and the chairman of the United African Company applied for a charter, which after five years time, was granted, and under this charter the Company bought out or amal gamated with the Frcncfarcompanies, and thus the territory over which the " Protectorate " was granted includes an area of 500,000 square miles and is estimated to contain from 20 to 80 millions of inhabitants. This company was granted very considerable political and administrative powers, but acted under the control of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The company maintained 42 stations and had a forca of 1000 men officered by Europeans. They were supposed to suppress all slave-raiding, and they prohibited the importation of rifles and cartridges into any part of their territory. The revenue wag chiefly raised by expert duties. This Com pany having served its day, is to be superseded by direct Imperial control. The trouble in th ; s country arises from the French having trespassed upon land within the boundaries of the " Protectorate,'} and, as the French Minister would havi us believe, quite accidentally, and most certainly against their wishes and instructions — but they still remain. The patience even of Lord Salisbury may give way and then the intruders will be told to go at once or they will be removed. This is the difficulty in the West of Afrioa.