§ 20. Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the price paid to Europeans in Northern Rhodesia for a 200 lb. bag of maize is 30s. while Africans are paid 18s. for the same quantity grown and harvested by identical methods.
Mr. Creech JonesThis year the price paid by the Maize Control Board was 27s. per 200 lb. bag, regardless of the source of production. In addition, 3s. extra was paid if a new bag was used. In the case of Africans 18s. was paid directly and the balance of 9s. per bag was paid into the African Farming Improvement Fund. This fund is used to pay a good farming bonus of 15s. an acre to African farmers using improved methods based on rotational crops and soil conservation. Any balance remaining is used to finance the improvement of African farming and to raise the productivity of the soil. The European farmers, on the other hand, have to finance their own land improvements, conservation works, and roads.
§ Mr. SkinnardWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind the importance of showing the African farmers the reasons for the two kinds of payments which in effect are made for their crop?
Mr. Creech JonesI think the discrimination is more apparent than real, but I agree that it is important to get this across to the Africans.
§ Mr. PiratinCan the Minister say whether the African farmers from whom the 9s. per bag is deducted, have consented to that deduction?
Mr. Creech JonesAll this is done in consultation with the local Africans who are on various district boards and provincial councils as well as on the Legislative Council.