Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Native co-operative societies existed in Tanganyika territory before July, 1935, and how many, with what membership 2222W and value of output, are now conducting business; and does the information in his possession show that these societies will be successful in repaying, according to the conditions, the direct loan of £5,000 sanctioned for the purpose of their establishment by His Majesty's Government in August, 1935?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe answer to the first part of the question is one: four native co-operative societies are now conducting business. As I have no recent information concerning their membership and value of output, I am asking the Governor for a report. As regards the last part of the question, my information is that the Songea Co-operative Society is expected to be in a position to repay the sum of £2,000 lent to it. The proposed loan of £3,000 for the establishment of a society in another district was declined by the Tanganyika Government as there was no inclination among the local tobacco growers to form a society.