§ Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of General Hertzog's recent declaration as to the possible closing of the markets in the South African Union against the protectorates if the natives adopted an attitude of hostility towards incorporation in the Union, His Majesty's Government will take steps to make the protectorates self-supporting?
2250W
Mr. M. MacDONALDI would refer the hon. Member to the explanation of General Hertzog's recent statement which I have just given in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell). It is certainly the aim and desire of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to assist the economic development of the territories in any way possible.
Mr. CREECH JONESasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what steps are being taken to carry out the recommendations of the Tagart Report on the position of the Masarwa tribe in Bechuanaland?
Mr. M. MacDONALDIn accordance with Mr. Tagart's recommendations all magistrates were instructed in 1933 to repeat and emphasise to native authorities the policy of the Government with regard to the Masarwa, and a census of the Masarwa is now being taken by a European officer who has been placed in charge of Masarwa interests generally. Proclamations on the lines recommended by Mr. Tagart have also been issued, but that regulating the employment of native labourers by natives of the territory has not been brought into operation pending the formulation of a provisional scheme for the settlement of any Masarwa who may be dismissed by their employers as a result of this legislation. The preparation of such a scheme and the action to be taken on, the remainder of the recommendations is now under consideration.