CENTENARY OF DURHAM REPORT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 43, 21 February 1939, Page 7

CENTENARY OF DURHAM REPORT

THE FUTURE OF COLONIAL POLICY PRINCIPLES FOR TRANSFER OF TERRITORIES I British Offici;:. Wirclest-. I RUGBY. Feb. 19. Great interest attaches to the centenary now being celebrated of the famous Durham report on Canada—as a result of which Canada was given responsible self-government—-because of thf fact that it marked the birth of a new conception of responsibility in colonial affairs, the contrast of which with other conceptions still endures as an important factor underlying the international r~ ~cts of the colonial question. The first point is commented on in a leader which The Times devotes to the centenary, and the second is brought out in a statement addressed to the Prime Minister. Mr. Neville Chamberlain, by a large number of distinguished signatories. The Times say's that the Durham report marked the end of the old policy of acquiring colonies simply as a source of profit, and it regards the report and the new policies to which it gave rise as “a channel through which the benefits of English liberty and constitutional freedom have flowed to the Dominions and colonies.” Purpose of Colonies In view of the signatories of the statement sent to the Prime Minister, with what is fundamental of the whole question of colonial claims is the purpose for which colonial territories are desired. They say that it is undeniable that in the past some colonial territories, although by no means all, have been acquired by right of conquest, or for purposes of economic exploitation. “But we hold most strongly,” continues the statement, “that the basis of colonial policy must be a form of trusteeship which makes service to the inhabitants and the territory the only justifiable moral ground for securing and holding a colonial territory'. This conception of colonial policy has been built up during more thia a century of effort by statesmen and others drawn from all parties in the State, and it has received recognition during the past 50 years.” ‘«.u.ung from that point of view, th? writers reach the conclusion that the stipulations for the safeguarding of native interests in the Berlin and Brussels Pacts, together with the principles of the League of Nations mandate system, constitute the essential elements of an international character regarding native races in colonial territories. Four Principles In the light of these considerations and in relation to the question of the transfer of colonial territories, they lay down four principles in accordance with which any transfer should be made, while expressing no opinion in advance favourable or unfavourable on proposals for the transfer of such territories to different administrations. The principles are:— Respect for the wishes of the inhabitants, which are to be ascertained as far as possible by impartial inquiry. Observance of obligations in treaties with native rulers. Acceptance of the system of mandatory trusteeship, the primary obu. which should be that oi seek ing to advance th? r-.cral and material conditions o L.u inhabitants. Prohibition of sls.c.y in all . o- econor.T? exploitation of a terr'tory in the i o ..ngle owper and o. *' cxallo. lative arm’e; lor pu; cjtside th* territories concerned.