HC Deb 08 July 1914 vol 64 cc1083-5W
Mr. GINNELL

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the date of the document prepared by the Pacific Islands Company, since become the Pacific Phosphate Company, for signature by chiefs of Ocean Island as a concession of guano phosphate, but signed only by a son of one chief; what the age of this youth was at the time, and what evidence there is of his knowledge, competence, or authority; the date of the subsequent extension of this concession from twenty to one hundred years; on what estimate of value, other than that of the company, this extension was granted; whether its effect was previously explained to the native owners; and, if their consent was obtained, will he say when and in what way?

Mr. HARCOURT

The company's agreement with the natives of Ocean Island was signed by two of the native chiefs on 3rd May, 1900, and by three other chiefs in September, 1900. The first Government licence, dated 2nd October, 1900, was for a period of twenty-one years, and the second licence, dated 13th August, 1901, was for a period of ninety-nine years, a new condition being inserted, namely, that in lieu of paying a fixed rental of £50 a year the company was to pay a royalty of 6d. per ton of phosphate exported. As the original agreement with the natives gave the company the sole right of removing phosphates for 999 years, the number of years inserted in the Government licences could not injuriously affect the interests of the natives. As to the value of the phosphates, I have to refer to my answer to the hon. Member's question of the 1st July.

Mr. GINNELL

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether cocoanuts and other fruits constitute the staple food of the natives of Ocean Island, in the Western Pacific; whether these are subject to periodical droughts, causing scarcity and famine; whether the Colonial Office still holds Lord Stanmore's view that the native race would die out if deprived of their land; if he will give a reference to the authority under which Colonial Office officials there increase the scarcity by needlessly felling food trees for timber, tax food while phosphate goes practically untaxed, treat the balance of an execessive estimate as arrears of food tax to be recovered in subsequent years; and, seeing that this treatment drives natives off the land and into the ranks of forced labour for the Government and for the Phosphate Company, if such be not the policy of the Colonial Office will he say why it is not stopped?

Mr. HARCOURT

I have to refer the hon. Member to my reply given yesterday to his question as to the taxation of the natives on Ocean Island.

Mr. GINNELL

asked what independent data the Colonial Office possesses to verify or otherwise the estimate of £80,000,000 as the value of the guano phosphate in situ on Ocean Island, the effective ownership of which the Colonial Office has transferred from the native owners to ex-Colonial officials for a merely nominal consideration?

Mr. HARCOURT

I have no means of verifying or otherwise the alleged value of the phosphates on Ocean Island. Their ownership has not been transferred to ex-Colonial officials.

Mr. GINNELL

asked whether the present resident Commissioner on Ocean Island has the power, exercised by his predecessor, Mr. Campbell, to imprison or deport any European criticising his administration; and, if not, in view of the promotion of Mr. Campbell for that conduct, what measures have been taken to convince the present resident Commissioner that similar conduct would not bring promotion to him also?

Mr. HARCOURT

Mr. Campbell did not imprison or deport any Europeans for criticising his administration. There is no necessity to communicate on the subject with the present resident Commissioner, who is fully aware of his powers and duties.