§ 24. Sir G. TOULMINasked whether negotiations are taking place for the sale of 80,000 acres of land north north-west of Umtali and upon the banks of the Odzi River, in Southern Rhodesia; whether this land forms part of the unalienated land the ownership of which is in dispute, and is now the subject of special reference to the judicial committee of the Privy Council; whether other trans actions of a similar nature, are taking place; and hat steps are being taken to protect the interests of the Crown and the people of Rhodesia ending the receipt of the advice of the judicial committee?
§ Mr. LONGI have no information with regard to the particular transaction referred to but there is no reason to doubt the power of the company to dispose of unalienated land subject to the provisions of Article 81 of the Southern Rhodesia Order in Council, 1898, securing to the natives land sufficient for their occupation. The question which will be decided by the Privy Council is whether the company own the land as their private property or only as an administrative and public asset.