Northern Nigeria

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 863607721

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-45464

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Lugard, Frederick John Dealtry http://d-nb.info/gnd/117667412

Title:: Northern Nigeria

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: His Maj. Stat. Off.

Year of publication:: 1907

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (65 Seiten)

Collection:: Economics Books

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26 COLONIAL REPORTS—MISCELLANEOUS. It was two-fold. In the first place it was designed as a check upon the engagement of natives for convoy work and their subsequent detention as labourers at a distant place while their wives and families were left unprovided for,—a system the obvious results of which need not be dwelt upon ; and secondly it was intended to place a premium upon the use of transport animals in lieu of human carriers, and thus to gradually dis courage the latter system and convert the carriers into agricul turists (which they readily become), and so to increase the pro ductive industry of the country. The Administration itself led the way by prohibiting the use of carriers as a means of trans port for Government officials and Government stores, except where transport animals could not be used (on account of tsetse fly, &c.) or in cases of emergency where no roads existed (mili tary expeditions, &c.). The tax, I think, did much to attain the objects sought, but it was the subject of repeated protests on the part of the Niger 'Company in regard to their mining areas in the Bauchi province. The route to these tin mines was not as yet practicable for animals, and the Company intimated their intention of substituting animals for men as soon as it was feasible to do so. In these circumstances the capitation fees were withdrawn, but as soon as the route is made practicable I think means should be found to prohibit the use of carriers, whose thieving and looting propensities do incalculable harm, and cause bitter discontent and resentment among the villagers on the routes they traverse. That the hardship inflicted by these capitation fees has not hitherto been a very severe one is proved by the fact that the total receipts from this source (whether foreign or extra-local) were in 1904-5 only £90 5s., and in 1905-6 £103 2s. 6d. 28. (/.) Horse Tax.—Finally, I would add a brief word regarding a tax which I had in contemplation, but which has not yet assumed any definite form. Its object is not for revenue, but to improve the breed of horses, and I think it would receive the ready support of the native chiefs of settled districts, to which at first its operation might be con fined. I would propose to levy a small tax upon all entire horses under the age of one year in the first year, under two years old in the second year, under three years in the third year, and under four years in the fourth year, and so on. Geldings would be exempt from the tax, and also stallions which had passed a certain standard and received a certificate from a veterinary surgeon or other person competent to judge. The persons authorised to issue certificates would be notified from time to time by the High Commissioner. Animals which were adjudged to be of especial excellence would be awarded prizes—to be met from the proceeds of the tax. Government would keep high class stallions at a few of the principal centres of horse-breeding, and any mare which had received a certificate would be served free. For identification of certi ficated animals brands would be used, as in India.

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