§ 68. Commander WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is approaching the Governors of the Crown Colonies with a view to their raising native troops; and, if so, will he so draft his inquiries or instructions that each Governor shall understand both what his quota of new troops is and what is expected of the other Colonies, and not merely ask how many troops he thinks he could raise without trouble?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)It is not desirable to give any particulars of what is being done, but my hon. Friend can rest assured that the influence of the Colonial Office is being, and will continue to be, directed to securing the largest possible amount of assistance in man-power from the Crown Colonies.
§ Commander WEDGWOODWill not the right hon. Gentleman now adopt the principle of running one Colony against another, so that there may be some competition in supplying black troops for the Empire?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have considered the suggestion of my hon Friend, but it is open to soma disadvantages, because the 547 numbers you can get from the different Colonies do not depend entirely on their population. If you were to run one Colony against another, I do not think the object would be attained.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman seised of the great importance of increasing the man-power of the Army?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have already answered that.