§ 35. Mr. Palingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the fact that natives owning undipped cattle have been removed from the land in Southern Tanganyika which has been conceded for Lord Chesham's settlement scheme, under what powers such natives have been removed; what compensation has been awarded to them; and what steps are being taken to provide an adequate labour supply for the intending settlers?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreAs the answer is a long one, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
The 278 natives concerned were not compulsorily removed from the land leased to the company. They voluntarily agreed to move after having been interviewed individually by a district officer well known to them, who put before each person (who was entirely free to do as he wished) the following alternatives:
- (a) To continue to exercise such rights of occupation and user as he possessed.
- (b) To surrender such rights to the company and to remove to another area, receiving compensation for disturbance.
- (c) To remain as a tenant of the company on such terms as might be agreed between him and the company.
§ The natives elected to move to another area available for their occupation, and received £1,700 as compensation in accordance with an assessment made by the district administration. No steps are being taken by Government to provide a labour supply for the settlers, who must find their own labour from among the plentiful number of neighbouring tribesmen, many of whom have in the past had to travel long distances to find work.