N 
popular excitement over the change continuing for some time is 
an argument for the adoption of one of the less drastic courses 
anumerated above. 
(e) The fifth reason for inaction, viz., that the economic effects 
of emancipation may be to produce a ‘' landless ’’ class and so 
hamper rather than stimulate agricultural development—is based 
on the consideration suggested by Mr. Furley, see above. 
I had hoped that the Provincial Commissioners would deal 
explicitly with this point in their report, but the only refer- 
ence to it is in the passage quoted above, where Mr. Ross 
and Mr. Hooker advocate that the date of abolition should 
not be earlier than Ist J anuary, 1929, ‘‘ for the reason that 
the people should have ample warning of the change contem- 
plated, and that those affected may have opportunity to settle 
themselves on lands other than those of their present masters— 
should they desire to do so.”” In my discussion of the subject 
with Mr. Ross he pointed out that by well-established native custom 
no man is allowed to possess more land than he and his house- 
hold can cultivate ;- consequently there would be no temptation for 
slave-owners to deprive emancipated domestics of the land that 
they have hitherto cultivated on their own account, as the masters 
would not be allowed to retain it in their possession. Practically, 
therefore, the probable change as regards land would be merely 
that the emancipated domestic would be free from all obligation 
to give his former master any share of the produce. For some years 
to come, however, he would probably continue to give such a 
share voluntarily, and the status quo ante would be little disturbed. 
In this connection I may invite attention to Section 16 of Ordin- 
ance 16 of 1905* which reads as follows :— 
*“ No chief (including the paramount chief in his capacity 
as chief) shall cultivate or order to be cultivated for his own 
benefit a larger area than can be cultivated by his labourers 
and by the people aforesaid, without preventing such people 
from having sufficient time to cultivate their awn lands ”’ 
The reasons for taking action may perhaps be clagsified under 
wo heads :— 
(6) Humanitarian and Moral. 
(5) Economic. 
(a) Humanitarian and moral reasons for abolishing slavery. In 
addition to the general considerations summarised by Sir Frederick 
Lugard and quoted above, I may briefly notice two special evils 
which result from the continuance of the slave status— (i) it fosters 
abuses arising from the adoption ’ of children, and (ii) it lends 
cover to the purchase of Protectorate girls for eoncubinage. 
* Now section 14 of Cap. 170.