§ 59. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to 34 the hardships arising from the operation of the game rules in Nyasaland; whether he is aware that natives are only allowed to kill wild animals which destroy their crops upon the condition that they carry the trophies to the resident, who in some cases is 50 miles away, and that for failure to obey this rule as to trophies, natives are being sent to prison with hard labour; and whether he will take any steps in the matter?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe rule requiring delivery of trophies only applies to specially protected species, not to those animals which are responsible for most of the damage. The reports which I have received do not indicate that hardship results from the game rules, but the Governor was instructed some time ago to furnish further reports next year, when more experience has been gained of their working.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIf I can show the right hon. Gentleman Press reports of trials in which poor natives have been sent to six months' imprisonment with hard labour for failing to produce these trophies, will he undertake to speed up the inquiry?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI will gladly speed up any inquiries in cases of that kind. The object of this Order is to prevent certain species of animals from becoming extinct, and there is nothing in the Order to prevent natives killing bush pig or baboons or things which do damage to crops.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIf they do damage, is it not well that they should become extinct? But, apart altogether from party politics, may I ask whether these reports which he quotes do not come precisely from the people who made the mistake of making the Rules?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo, but we will ask the Governor to let us know exactly what happens under these Rules, and I am sure the Governor, Sir Charles Bowring, will tell us exactly how the matter stands.