134
250
6. [To Nigeria, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, and Gambia: In connexion with the question of financial assistance, it has been suggested that the unexpended portion of the sum voted by the West African Governments for yellow fever inves- tigations might be diverted for the proposed tsetse fly investigations: the amount now available from this source is, I understand, approximately £5,000. I should be glad if you would consider this suggestion and inform me when you reply to this despatch whether it is acceptable to your Government.]
[7.1 [6.] It may be possible for me at a later date to make a public appeal for funds in this country for these investigations; and the question of approaching foreign Governments with possessions in Africa will have to be considered; but I am not prepared to move in the matter until I know how far Government support may be relied upon from the British possessions in Africa which will benefit primarily from the results which I trust may follow on an extended scheme of investigation of the kind contemplated.
251
with the requisite training. As regarde financial assistance, I hesitate to suggest. any specific sum; but I may observe that money expended upon these investigations should not be wasted, while it is probable that results obtained may lead to lasting benefits in the combating of human trypanosomiasis, the preservation of stock, and the opening up of new areas to cultivation.
6. It may be possible for me at a later date to make a public appeal for funds in this country for these investigations; and the question of approaching foreign be Governments with possessions in Africa will have to be considered; but I am not prepared to move in the matter until I know how far Government support may relied upon from the British countries in Africa which will benefit primarily from the results which I trust may follow on an extended scheme of investigation of the kind contemplated.
I have, &c.,
MILNER.
I have, &c.,
MILNER.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
mihu
C.O.
Reference :-
885/25
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
| PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
13507
No. 105.
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL.
(No. 212.)
MY LORD,
[Answered by No. 122.]
Downing Street, 17th May, 1920.
I HAVE the honour to state, for the information of Your Excellency's Minis- ters, that I have had under consideration the question of extended investigations in Africa in connexion with tsetse fly, with a view to the introduction of practical measures for the control of the fly.
2. As you are aware, Mr. (now Viscount) Harcourt, when Secretary of State for the Colonies, appointed a Committee, over which the Earl of Desart presided, to inquire into this matter, and the Committee presented a valuable report,* copies of which were forwarded to you. Unfortunately the outbreak of war prevented action being taken on that report. But now that the War is over I feel that every effort should be made to acquire all the information possible, and to put into force practical measures based on that information for the control of the fly, having regard both to the danger from the fly to human and animal life and to the fact that the presence of the fly locks up areas of land which might otherwise be made productive.
3. I recently approached the Managing Committee of the Imperial Bureau of Entomology on the subject; and the Committee have now accepted the report of a Sub-Committee which was instructed to draft proposals. Copies of this report† are enclosed.
4. I am entirely in accord with the action recommended; and I welcome the suggestion that the Bureau should co-ordinate, and in general organize, the inves- tigations. But before any action can be taken the question of funds must be considered. An approximate estimate to cover salaries, equipment, travelling the Bum of £50,000 should be raised, on expenses, etc., shows that a assumption that work would be carried on in six experimental areas over a period of five years. The question of personnel also presents difficulties, as the I am advised that number of fully trained entomologists is extremely limited.
there would be little prospect of obtaining good men for the work, unless men who are available in Government service in Africa can be detailed; but I understand that it might be possible to obtain junior men, who are not fully trained entomologists, to be employed in the first instance as assistants to such trained men as can be found for the work.
5. I know that your Ministers are interested in the tsetse fly problem, and I trust that they will be prepared to give their support to this scheme of investigation. In particular, I should be glad if you would ascertain to what extent they will and whether they would be able
expense. to contribute towards the
be in a position to detail for work under the scheme a suitable officer or officers
25743
No. 108.
MINUTES OF THE THIRTY-SECOND GENERAL MEETING OF THE
BUREAU OF THE IMPERIAL MANAGING COMMITTEE
ENTOMOLOGY, held at 3.30 P. M., ON 19TH May, 1920.
1.
Present:
VISCOUNT HARCOURT (Chairman).
MAJOR AUSTEN.
MAJOR-GENERAL SIR DAVID BRUCE.
MR. FRYER.
DR. MACDOUGALL.
SIR JOHN MCFADYEAN.
SIR DANIEL MORRIS.
PROFESSOR POULTON,
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SIR DAVID PRAIN.
SIR HERBERT Read.
SIR ARTHUR SHIPLEY.
MR. THEOBALD.
DR. MARSHALL (Director).
DR. NEAVE (Assistant Director).
MR. PARKINSON (Secretary).
OF
BEFORE proceeding to the business of the meeting, Viscount Harcourt referred to the great loss which the Bureau had suffered by the death of Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, Entomologist to the Dominion of Canada, who had been largely instrumental in founding the Bureau. The Committee desired to place on record their deep regret at his death and their appreciation of his valuable work both as an administrator and as a scientific entomologist.
2. Viscount Harcourt reminded the Committee that since their last meeting Sir Arthur Shipley, G.B.E., and Sir Sidney Harmer, K.B.E., had been knighted and, on behalf of the Committee, he extended to them congratulations on these honours.
3. The minutes of the Thirty-First General Meeting were approved. 4. Sir David Prain read the minutes of the final meeting of the Conference Sub-Committee,† on which the provisional programme circulated to members had heen based. The provisional programme was approved, subject to the following amendments :-
(i.) Hours of meetings to be 11 o'clock in the mornings, and 3 o'clock in the afternoons.
(ii) An additional-paper by Mr. H. King, Government Entomologist in the Sudan, on the "Organization of Entomological Work in the Anglo Egyptian Sudan," to be read in the afternoon of Wednesday, 2nd June.
* No. 96.
+ No. 102.
* [Cd. 7949.].
+ No. 101.