HC Deb 06 August 1918 vol 109 c1108
42. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make inquiries from East Africa as to whether German sisal plantations are now being operated by Greeks more or less in trust for their German owners; whether these people are now trying to get for their crops the price that the British Government pays for sisal; and, if so, will he urge that the plantations be taken over altogether and worked for the benefit of the State?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Hewins)

I have no recent information as to the first and second questions. As regards the third, I am not prepared to copy the German method by confiscating private property in occupied enemy territory.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is it confiscating private property to work these plantations in the interest of national efficiency and to put the funds, as they are doing in connection with German banks here, into a pool?

Mr. HEWINS

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is rather an expert in these matters.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Why not adopt in German East Africa the same principle towards German businesses that you adopt in this country?

Mr. HEWINS

It is an entirely different matter in an occupied enemy country.

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