§ Sir JOHN KENNAWAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will furnish full statistics of the imports into the region now known as Southern Nigeria from the year 1890 to the year 1908, showing respectively the imports of spirits, distinguishing between gin, rum, and other spirits, and, on the other hand, the imports of general articles of trade, specifying the amounts of cottons, hardware, and other imports, exclusive of goods in transit and Government imports, and also the rates of duty in force in each year?
§ Colonel SEELYThe detailed statistics asked for by the right hon. Gentleman are not available without reference to the Colony, but inquiry shall be made of the Governor, and I will then forward all the information obtainable to the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Sir JOHN KENNAWAYasked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies in what districts in Southern Nigeria a licensing system is in force; whether attempts have been made to introduce this in other parts, 582W and, if so, for how long a period and with what results; and what are the intentions of His Majesty's Government with reference to this matter?
§ Colonel SEELYThe districts in which a licensing system is in force are clearly shown on a map of which no copies are available, but which I have sent to the right hon. Gentleman. Attempts were made to introduce the system in two of the great self-governing native centres—Abeokuta and Ibadan. In the former, owing to the strong opposition of the native authorities, the introduction of the system was not insisted on. The results of introducing it at Ibadan are shown in paragraph 10 of the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Liquor Traffic in Southern Nigeria [Cd. 4906]. It has been decided that the action taken at Ibadan was premature, and the local government has been permitted instead to increase the local duty or toll of 9d. per gallon to 10d. The policy of the Government is to extend the licensing system whenever and wherever circumstances permit.
§ Sir JOHN KENNAWAYasked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether any steps will be taken to secure the extension of a cash currency in Southern Nigeria in order to counteract the use of gin as a currency?
§ Colonel SEELYThe question of the extension of a cash currency in Southern Nigeria has occupied the attention of the Government of the Colony and of the Secretary of State for several years past, 583W and every possible effort is being made to induce the inhabitants of the more backward districts to adopt the use of coin. A subsidiary coinage—in pence and tenths of a penny—has been introduced with a certain measure of success, but compulsion in such matters is not practicable, and progress is necessarily slow.