§ Mr. Wilkesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what methods members of the provincial and protectorate native councils are chosen in Nyasaland; and whether he is aware of the demand of the Nyasaland African Congress that members of these councils should be elected.
Mr. Creech JonesOf the three Provincial Councils, two consist of twenty and one of fifteen tribal chiefs, together with five other responsible Africans in each case. The chiefs are chosen by the district councils of chiefs and the remaining members are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the chiefs of the council. The African Protectorate Council consists of twenty members, who are selected by the provincial councils from among their members according to the fixed number allotted to each council. At the first meeting of the protectorate council held this year, twelve chiefs and eight 369W other prominent Africans were so nominated. I have no knowledge of a request by the Nyasaland African Congress that members of these councils should be elected. I naturally agree that the aim should be to base the councils on an elective system as soon as may be, but the existing arrangement, which is suited to African customary methods, provides in existing circumstances the most satisfactory representation at the present stage.