§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary for the Colonies whether the Pacific Islands Company, now called the Pacific Phosphate Company, was formed and has been and still is controlled by ex-Colonial officials, who transferred their services direct from the public to the company and used knowledge acquired in the public service for their own advantage; whether he is aware of the complaints that the officials subsequently sent to the Ocean Island, having been previously subordinate to directors of the company, have administered the affairs of the island in the interest of the company and to the detriment of the natives; and if he can state from any independent source the relative value of guano-phosphate as a 894W source of wealth in that island; the annual value of the exports from the island, specifying them; the amount of public revenue derived from guano-phosphate and from foodstuffs, respectively; and the annual expenditure on the island for the benefit of the natives?
Mr. HARCOURTThe Pacific Phosphate Company is not controlled by ex-Colonial officials. The late Lord Stanmore had ceased to be High Commissioner of the Western Pacific for over twenty years when he joined the board of the company. I am not aware that any of the Government officials on Ocean Island were formerly servants of the company. I have already informed the hon. Member that I do not know the value of the phosphates. For information on the other points raised in the question I have to refer to the latest annual report in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (Cd. 6667–34) and (Cd. 6667–1).
§ Mr. GINNELLalso asked whether it is with the authority of the Home Government, and, if not, by what authority, that the resident commissioner on Ocean Island imposes taxes upon food, while phosphate, which is the chief wealth of the island, goes tax free; by what authority the amount of the tax is doubled when delivery is not made on a fixed date; by what authority food is seized for tax while some are dying of starvation and natives imprisoned and their land confiscated when unable to find the food tax demanded; and, if any accounts of those food taxes are rendered, whether he will make them available?
Mr. HARCOURTThe system of native taxation in the Gilberts and Ellice Islands Protectorate, which includes Ocean Island, is explained in (Cd. 4356) and (Cd. 4992). The phosphates are not tax free, as a payment of 1s. a ton on the exports is now made. There is no foundation for the allegations conveyed in the question as to the manner in which the native taxes are collected or as to the results of the taxation.
§ Mr. GINNELLalso asked when, at whose instance, and on what grounds the terms of the concession to the Pacific Phosphate Company on Ocean Island have been revised; on what basis of quantity and value; on what independent information the basis was arrived at; whether the revision was the result of inquiries in this House; whether the area conceded to the company was enlarged; whether the 895W concession indemnifies the company for illegal compulsory acquisition of land and enables them to take land compulsorily in future; in what way, if at all, the consent of the native owners of the phosphate was obtained; and whether the Secretary of State will place in the Library a copy of the revised concession?
Mr. HARCOURTThe revision of the Company's Ocean Island concession was made in consequence of a Report in 1909 from the assistant to the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, to the effect that the natives were not satisfied with the arrangements then existing. The new arrangements have been made with the full consent of the natives. A copy of the Agreement shewing the revised arrangements will be placed in the Library.