§ 7. Mr. RENNIE SMITHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it is necessary to introduce military conscription among the European population of Kenya Colony?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for COLONIAL AFFAIRS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)In the circumstances of a small and scattered white population living among a large native population it is obvious that the provision of an efficient and disciplined military force in on emergency, whenever that emergency might arise, cannot easily be ensured on a purely voluntary basis, and as the principle of compulsory enrolment was urged upon me by the representatives of the people concerned and was supported by the local Government, I agreed to its adoption.
§ Mr. SMITHIs the introduction of compulsory service in East Africa likely to produce good relations between blacks and whites?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe natives are not concerned in any way in Kenya more than any other part of Africa. We have had questions in regard to raids from Abyssinia and circumstances on the frontier and the whole European population are, I think, unanimous in desiring a reserve force to be used in case of an emergency.
Colonel AFPLINIs it not a fact that the Dutch East India Colonies have had this regulation for the last 50 years?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it not also a fact that we in Ceylon have not had this regulation in force, though we have been there for a 100 years?