§ 62. Mr. RENNIE SMITHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount per head of the Native Tax in the Solomon Islands; whether any other direct taxes are imposed; and whether 1722 any explanation of the reason for the levying of the taxes is given to the natives concerned?
§ Mr. AMERYThe tax applies only to male natives and the rate is such sum not exceeding £1 per year as may from time to time be prescribed by the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. In some districts the rate has been fixed at 5s. per head, in one district it is 10s., and in others £1. No other direct taxes are imposed. The officers concerned have had instructions since the tax was first authorised that the services to which the proceeds were to be devoted should be fully explained to the natives before it was put into force.