§ 59. Mr. DAVID GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any further statement to make on the subject of closer co-operation with the Union Government in matters affecting the High Commission Territories in South Africa?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)It will be remembered that, in the course of discussions in May last between my predecessor and General Hertzog, it was agreed that endeavours should be made to establish closer cooperation between the Administrations of the High Commission Territories and the Union Government in matters affecting the Territories. In pursuance of this aim, the Union Government have recently offered to assist financially and in other ways with certain schemes for combating soil erosion and for developing water supplies which had been recommended by Sir Alan Pim, who recently reported on economic conditions in the Territories. The offer has been accepted by the High Commissioner, and I understand that the Union Government are placing a sum of £35,000 on their Estimates for the coming financial year for these purposes. This sum amounts to 50 per cent. of the total expenditure contemplated for next 1227 year on the particular items concerned. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are convinced that the cooperation which His Majesty's Government in the Union have thus offered will be productive of considerable benefit to the three Territories. A full statement of the proposals is being communicated to the local native authorities.
§ Mr. DUNCANIs one of the territories Bechuanaland?
§ Mr. MacDONALDYes, Sir.