HC Deb 26 March 1930 vol 237 cc409-10
31. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what alterations in the Southern Rhodesian Land Apportionment Bill, 1929, have been recommended by the Dominions Office and accepted by the Southern Rhodesian Government to balance the consent of His Majesty's Government to change the letters patent of the Southern Rhodesian constitution and the consequent loss to the natives of the right to buy and rent land?

Mr. LUNN

As my right hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the object of the Southern Rhodesia Land Apportionment Act is to give effect to the recommendations of the Southern Rhodesia Land Commission of 1925. I would refer in this connection to the reply which I gave to him on 22nd January. After full consideration of the question, the Secretary of State came to the conclusion that the general adoption of the Commission's proposals was to the interest of the natives, and he has not asked for any amendment of substance in the Act.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Are we to understand that the Secretary of State has altered the letters patent to deprive natives of their rights to own land without getting any modification in an Act which deprives the natives of an opportunity of living in their own country and working there?

Mr. LUNN

I think that that is altogether a wrong understanding of what is the position in regard to what has been considered in changing the letters patent. My right hon. and gallant Friend knows the objects of the legislation, and the only matter in which the Secretary of State has taken an interest is to make clear what are the rights and claims of the natives.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is not my hon. Friend aware that the Anti-Slavery Society and the Aborigines Protection Society have made representations on this question, frequently urging modifications and amendments of the Act, and are we to understand that the Government have consented to alter the letters patent of the constitution without taking any steps to safeguard native rights as requested by the Anti-Slavery Society?

Mr. LUNN

I think that my right hon. and gallant Friend must take my reply that the Secretary of State has asked for no alterations of substance in the Act which is now under consideration by the Legislature in Southern Rhodesia.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Do you say that he has made alterations, or that he has not?

Mr. LUNN

Alterations in form, but not alterations of substance.