Cras
33410
NNS 107
33
Mr Strachey
Mr Antrobus.
The attempt to build a line of railway of
3 ft.6 in.gauge in West Africa for £3000 a mile is in the nature of an experiment. It is highly desirable that it should be ascertained clearly whether the experiment is a success or a failure. This can only be done if the responsibility is definitely fixed in a single quarter, and is left there unhampered and unimpeded.
Sir P.Girouard has accepted without reserve the estimate of £3000 a mile, and is confident that he can build the line at that cost. His selection for the appointment of High Commissioner of Northern Nigeria was largely determined by the prospect of his being called upon to do so. He is clearly marked out as the one to bear the responsibility, and given fair conditions to stand or fall by the result.
If this principle is accepted, we all fall into our proper places at once. We at the Colonial Office must be prepared to comply with all his demands for materials or staff, without criticism and without demur, unless there is anything patently unreasonable or impossible in what he asks. When it appears that
there is anything of that nature, it will be our line to explain to him our reasons for thinking that such is the case, and to try to get him to withdraw or
modify the proposal spontaneously. But we must be very
No comments yet.
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