§ 21. Mr. CECIL WILSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what, reforms have been initiated in the administration of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate since the Report of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Harry Moorhouse in January, 1929?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)The Protectorate administration has been addressed upon the several matters dealt with in the Report by Sir Harry Moorhouse. The proposal to divide the island of Malaita into two administrative districts is being proceeded with, but action upon some of the other recommendations involving increased expenditure has been delayed owing to financial stringency.
§ Mr. WILSONWhen is that further action likely to be taken?
§ Dr. SHIELSI am unable to give any date. We are pursuing the policy recommended in the Report, but our progress must be conditioned by financial conditions.
§ Mr. CHARLES BUXTONWill the hon. Gentleman consider the whole question of imposing direct taxation upon extremely primitive people to whom the whole system is absolutely unintelligible?
§ Dr. SHIELSThat is a matter that we have constantly under consideration.