CO129-347 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [4-6] — Page 500

$

497

Farmer amounts to $66,626 per mensem. It is of course im-

-possible to say what proportion of this sum would be lost

to the Farmer were all the Divans closed, since it is im-

-possible to know to what extent the closing of the Divans

will decrease the consumption of Opium. On this point

further investigations are being made, and I hope very

shortly to be able to arrive at an estimate of the total

amount which would in justice be due to the Farmer as

compensation, in consequence of a course of action which

he had no reason to anticipate at the time the Contract

was made.

3.

With regard to the Licensees of

Divans. I am advised by the Law Officers of the Colony that

the Government has no power to cancel the Divan Licences

except for breach of their conditions. Cancellation could

only be effected by means of special legislation. Were

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such legislation to be introduced it would in justice be

necessary to provide substantial compensation, which would

amount to a very considerable sum for which there is no

provision in the Estimates, and which it appears well nigh

impossible to provide.

4.

I cannot disguise from Your Lord-

-ship that such legislation would be energetically opposed

by

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