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9660
142
No. 72.
NYASALAND.
THE UNITED FREE CHURCH (LIVINGSTONIA MISSION) to COLONIAL
DEAR SIR,
OFFICE.
(Received 16th March, 1914.)
[Answered by No. 73.]
United Free Church Offices,
3.
143
With reference to the statement in your letter that "the natives are pro- hibited by local laws from protecting themselves," I am to inform you that they are allowed to use the weapons which they possess in killing game in infected areas, and Mr. Harcourt understands that this is being done with considerable effect. In this connection I am to draw your attention to Mr. Harcourt's despatch of the 6th of September, 1912, which was published in the Blue Book [Cd. 6671]. The Blue Book can be obtained through any bookseller for the sum of 6d.
&c., H. J. READ,
16th March, 1914.
38528/10
232, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Sleeping Sickness.
YOUR letter of 4th February* has been submitted to the Livingstonia Mission Sub-Committee.
The various missions interested in Nyasaland agreed to the question of the danger to human life involved in the preservation of game being made the subject of enquiry on the spot by Sir David Bruce on the footing, carefully explained by your- self, that, if you found there was danger, steps would at once be taken for the pro- tection of the natives. Sir David Bruce has reported that the danger exists, but, although you were good enough to give an undertaking on the subject, the steps The area of indicated have not been taken for the preservation of human life. sleeping sickness has extended so much that four large new areas have recently been proclaimed as infected (see papers I sent you with my last letter†) and the movements of persons within these are greatly restricted since the issue of Sir David Bruce's report.
His Majesty's Government must recognise the serious responsibility for any loss of life which may occur through sleeping sickness, so long as no action is being taken to protect the natives and the natives are prohibited by local laws from protecting themselves. The missions recognise their own responsibility in the matter, as it is largely through the action of the missions that the territory in question is now British territory, and also because they have used their influence with the natives to carry out the laws, and many of the natives look to them for protection.
The Committee begs again to urge that this question should be dealt with by you as one of extreme urgency, and that the large number of natives who are under British protection, as well as a smaller number of Europeans in the districts con- cerned, should not run the risk of what may be at present isolated outbreaks becoming a devastating epidemic; and that, at the very least, the remedial measures indicated by Sir David Bruce should at once be put into operation by cable instructions to the officers on the spot.
I have, &c.,
P.S. See enclosed reprint from " Nyasaland Times."‡
9660
No. 73.
NYASALAND.
J. FAIRLEY DALY.
J. F. D.
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE UNITED FREE CHURCH (LIVINGSTONIA MISSION).
SIR,
Downing Street, 24th March, 1914.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th of March,§ on the subject of sleeping sickness in Nyasaland, and to request you to inform the Livingstonia Sub-Committee of the Foreign Mission Committee of the United Free Church that he understands that the report of the Committee presided over by the Earl of Desart will be received almost immediately. 2. On receipt of the Committee's Report Mr. Harcourt will give the matter to which you refer his most careful consideration, but in the meantime he does not propose to take any steps.
·
No. 70.
↑ No. 69.
Not reprinted,
§ No. 72.
No. 74.
I am,
for the Under-Secretary of State.
INFORMATION AS TO FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION IN THE EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE.
All firearms must be registered by an officer of the Administration at the port of entry, the fee for which is Rs. 3 per firearm. The importation of automatic and silenced rifles is prohibited.
Re-registration must be effected on the 1st January in each year. If firearms are taken out of the country, and it is intended to bring or send them back at some future date, it is advisable to obtain a certificate to the effect that they have already been in the Protectorate; this will obviate the payment of Customs import duty a second time.
Holders of game licences are entitled to free registration of firearms. A permit from an officer of the Administration must be obtained for the sale or transfer of a firearm to any person who is legally entitled to possess it, and it must be re-registered in the name of the new owner.
Ammunition is warehoused in a Government warehouse on removal from the Customs, and can only be withdrawn on production of a permit, for which the fee of 50 cents is charged. At each withdrawal the fee must be paid and a declaration made stating whether the ammunition is for personal use or for sale. No ammuni- tion may be given or sold to a native of Africa, and no firearm without permission in writing of an officer of the Administration.
Customs.
Firearms, ammunition, and equipment generally are liable to a duty of 10 per cent, ad calorem.
Persons consigning firearms, &c., forward should send to the consignee all bills of lading, invoices, bills, &c., from which full particulars as to value, quantity, and description of goods can be obtained for Customs purposes. Examination of goods is made by the Customs officials immediately on arrival at Mombasa, when all invoices, &c., should be ready for inspection.
If travelling by lines of steamers other than the British India Steam Naviga- tion Company, it is advisable to consign goods or baggage to Kilindini; in the case of the British India steamers, goods should be consigned to Mombasa.
Firearms and ammunition must first be registered and stamped before they can be passed by the Customs. No goods are delivered except on production of a delivery order from the steamship agents, and until the crañage and duty due, if any, has been paid. May, 1914.
19689
No. 75.
INFORMATION AS TO THE IMPORTATION INTO THE UGANDA PROTECTORATE OF ARMS, AMMUNITION, AND EQUIPMENT GENERALLY OF HUNTING EXPEDITIONS.
Arms and Ammunition.
The importation of arms and ammunition into the Uganda Protectorate is regulated by the Uganda Arms Ordinance, 1906. By notice dated 22nd May, 1909, the importation of rifles of calibre 303 and 450 Martini Henri, and ammunition, suitable for use therein, is prohibited unless the consent of the Governor shall have previously been obtained. The importation of automatic or silenced rifles is also prohibited.