§ 37. Mr. WEDGWOODasked whether His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of remitting native taxation in the islands comprising the Gilbert group in the Pacific and substituting for it additional taxation upon the phosphates monopoly on the islands?
Mr. HARCOURTNo, Sir. I have no reason to think that the native taxation in the Gilbert Islands is excessive.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODHas the right hon. Gentleman seen any account as to the distribution of the Gilbert Islanders, and does he know that the profits of the phosphate company were over half a million?
Mr. HARCOURTWhat is specially foremast to my mind is that the recent increase which I have made in the amount of Royalties payable to the Government is from 6d. to 1s., making 100 per cent.