7. Some of the consequential amendments which are made in the existing law by the Ordinance were inserted during the Committee stage. The provisions of the Ordinance when introduced were. sections 1, 2, 6, and so much of section 4 as effects the repeal of section 7 of the Protectorate Ordinance, 1924 (Cap. 167). It was considered better that the Ordinance as introduced should contain only such provisions as were deemed essential to effect the abolition of the legal status of slavery, and that merely consequential amendments should form the subject of another Ordinance to be passed later, unless the Legislative Council when in Committee should show a readiness to incorporate these amendments into this Ordinance. With the latter possibility in view, typewritten copies of the provisions to be amended and of the amendments required were in readiness for circulation. Fortunately the Council in Committee unanimously agreed to His Excellency's suggestion that the amendments in question should be considered, and they have all been made by the Ordinance as passed. 8. The Ordinance was passed unanimously. The question of compensation was raised by the Rural Member and by the First Urban Member, but, quite apart from the opposition which the proposal encountered from Official Members, carefully reasoned arguments were presented against it by the Honourable J. A. Songo Davies. The question of the provision of lands for the freed slaves was another subject raised by the Rural Member, but Paramount Chief Bai Comber, who made an interesting and instructive contribution to the debate on the second reading, assured the Council that the freed slaves would have no trouble in obtaining land, and his view was confirmed by the Commissioner of the Northern Province. And it may be added that both of these Members expressed the opinion that inter-marriage would prove a considerable solvent of some of the social problems to which the Ordinance may be expected to give rise. 9. I have already advised that the Ordinance is one to which His Excellency the Acting Governor may properly assent. A. C. V. PRIOR, CROWN LAW OFFICERS' CHAMBERS, FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE, 23rd September, 1927. Attorney-General. No. 20. Despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Sierra Leone. DOWNING STREET, 17th October, 1927. SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Luke's despatch of the 23rd September, transmitting, for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure, copies of the Legal Status of Slavery (Abolition) Ordinance, 1927. 2. I am gratified to learn of the harmonious passage of this important Ordinance, and I note with peculiar pleasure the loyal and public-spirited attitude adopted by the Paramount Chiefs in the Council towards a measure which was admittedly in conflict with their personal interests. 3. I need hardly add that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance with regard to the Ordinance. I have, etc., (for the Secretary of State) W. ORMSBY GORE. # * No. 19. (1029-1) Wt 20346-1972 1000 2/28 H. St. G. 3 SOUTHERN RHODESIA Papers relative to the Southern and the Southern Rhodesia Native Affairs Act, 1927 Presented by the Secretary of State for Dominion April, 1928 LONDON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses: Adastral House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2; 120, George Street, Edinburgh; York Street, Manchester; 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff; 15, Donegall Square West, Belfast; or through any Bookseller. 1928 Price 1s. 6d. Net Cmd. 3076 11. Despatch from the Governor of Southern Rhodesia to the Secretary of State for Do- minion Affairs ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 12. Letter from the Dominions Office to the Secre- 13. Letter from the Dominions Office to the Chairman, Peace Committee of the Society of 14. Southern Rhodesia Proclamation No. 9 of 1927 15. Letter from the Honorary Secretary, the Anti- Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society, to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs... Resolution passed at the Annual Meeting of the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protec- tion Society Letter from the Dominions Office to the ... 1927. 17. Extract from Official Report, House of Commons 10th November ... ... 23rd November ... 28 (Received 24th November) 19. Extract from Official Report, House of Commons 5th December Rhodesia. (Communicated to the Press) (Received 19th December) 32 25. Despatch from the Governor of Southern 1928. ... 35 36 ... (Received 20th February) 24th January Report by Chief Native Commissioner, PART II. Papers relative to the Southern Rhodesia Native Affairs Act, 1927. 1. Despatch from the Governor of Southern Rhodesia to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs |