§ MR. NOLAN (Louth, S.)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a petition has been addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies from Southern Nigeria, West Africa, signed by the Awujale and Chiefs of Ijebu Ode, asking for protection and calling attention to the action of a European named Mr. Robert Brown, who has taken possession of a portion of their territory of a total approximate area of 600 square miles; whether Mr. Brown has, by force, prevented the natives from carrying on their customary business on the same; whether, as a consequence, unrest prevails in the district and that a Native war is likely to result, calling for the intervention of the forces of the Crown; whether he can state on what grounds Mr. Brown bases his claim; whether Mr. Brown has asked for and obtained promises of armed support from the Governor; and whether the Papers connected with this matter will be submitted to the House, and, if so, at about what date.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Secretary of State has received a petition from the Awujale and Chiefs of Ijebu Ode relating to an agreement made by them with Mr. Brown under which Mr. Brown claims the right to out timber over an area of 100 square miles, not 600 as stated in the Question. The point at issue is the interpretation of the agreement. The Secretary of State is not aware that Mr. Brown has used force in support of his claim; nor that there is any such unrest in the district as would be likely to require the intervention of the forces of the Colonial Government; nor that Mr. Brown has asked for and obtained promises of armed support from the 154 Government. The Secretary of State is giving the matter his personal attention, he has received a deputation on the subject representing the Awujale and Chiefs, and is now consulting the Governor, who is at present in England. The hon. Member will observe that the matter has not yet reached a stage at which the Secretary of State can determine whether Papers should be laid.
§ MR. NOLANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is a fact that the chiefs representing the people owning this territory waited upon Lieutenant Hearne, the District Commissioner, and pointed out to him in the hearing of all of them that the agreement made with Mr. Brown gave him a right only to prospect the forest, and that after the expiration of six months he was to return and get the concession granted, and that it gave him no right to drive anyone from the forest?
§ MR. CHURCHILLsaid that if the hon. Member had any information to send him it would be considered, but he could not on the spur of the moment enter into details as to Nigerian administration; the whole matter was being fully considered.
§ MR. NOLANIs it not the fact that Mr. Brown claimed 600 square miles and not 100, and that the consideration he gave for it was £20?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI am told it is not 600 square miles but 100, and I conceive the sum paid was larger than that mentioned by the hon. Gentleman.
§ MR. ALDEN (Middlesex, Tottenham)Is it the fact that natives who had licences to cut timber have been actually flogged and imprisoned by the soldiers employed by Mr. Brown and will the right hon. Gentleman order their release?
§ MR. CHURCHILLIf there has been any improper action the Secretary of State will certainly look into the matter.