§ 22. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will press the Nyasaland Government to set up a commission of inquiry with a view to bringing to an end the system known as tangata in view of the resentment of the Africans towards this form of land usage.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo, Sir. I am satisfied that the Nyasaland Government fully understand the problems involved in the policy of progressively abolishing tanghata and are making good progress with its implementation.
§ Mr. RankinThen the Minister accepts the fact that this is a system that ought to be abolished. Will he press that very urgently on the Nyasaland Government? Is he aware that it is a form of share cropping and ought to be abolished more quickly than is being done at present?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that the views of Her Majesty's Government on this system are well known. I must point out that the Nyasaland Government need no encouragement in this matter but are fully alive to all the difficulties and dangers. In the last fifteen months, the number of families with these obligations was reduced from 41,000 to about 23,000, which is really remarkable progress.
§ Mr. J. JohnsonCan the Minister give the House an assurance that he will watch carefully the problem of European farmers who have come into Nyasaland? Is he aware that this is an emotional issue and a matter of political discussion among Africans in Nyasaland?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am also fully aware of the vital contribution which European farming is making in Nyasaland. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will always make clear that the land remaining in private ownership is about 4 per cent of the total area of the country.