§ 12. Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the British South Africa Company have conveyed a million acres of land to the Liebeg Company; what was the price paid by the purchasers to the vendors for the land thus conveyed; whether he has taken the opinion of counsel as to whether this sale is legal; whether there are any natives squatting on the land thus alienated; and whether the occupation rights of such natives will be affected by this sale?
Mr. HARCOURTI am informed by the British South Africa Company that Liebig's Extract of Meat Company, Limited, acquired from the British South Africa Company in 1911 the right to select 1,200,000 acres of ranching land in Southern Rhodesia on quit rent tenure at 362 at a price of is. an acre, and approximately 1,124,793 acres have been selected. I have no reason to question the validity of the purchase. I am not aware whether there were natives living in the area before the purchase, but the transaction cannot in any case affect the obligation of the British South Africa Company under the Order in Council of 1898, to assign to the natives of the country sufficient land for their occupation. I am informed that there are at present natives on Messrs. Liebig's property who are occupying land with the consent of that company on terms satisfactory to both parties.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly state whether the sum of ls. an acre for a million and a half acres was given by the company in their current accounts sent to the Colonial Office for administration or for the personal benefit of the shareholders?
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask if the Colonial Office are prepared to sanction any alienation of land made by the Rhodesia Company—and there are two other European Concession Companies—without making any sort of protest in favour of the natives of the country?
Mr. HARCOURTAny question as to what the Colonial Office are prepared to do under certain circumstances is one that I should have notice of.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODWas this alienation of land brought before the Colonial Office before it had become a closed bargain between the British South Africa Company and the Liebig Company?
Mr. HARCOURTI have to say again that the hon. Gentleman is asking me, without notice, to charge my memory as to what took place some time ago.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODThe right hon. Gentleman would not allow this sort of thing to go on in any other South African Colony!
Sir G. PARKERMay I inquire whether this question of the sale of land by the British South Africa Company is not a question over which this Government would not have any jurisdiction?
Mr. HARCOURTI do not think it would, save in exceptional circumstances 363 to be met by an Order in Council. But where a question arises of the sale of land by a chartered company I should at least have notice.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLCannot the right hon. Gentleman, without notice, give the names of the directors of the Liebig Company: Are they not all Germans?