62 No, 2, Sir E. Gorsl to Sir E(hiMrd Grey—{Received Ayril 2.)

Sir, Cairo, March 2C, 1910.

I HA-VE the honour to submit my report on the affairs of the Soudan for tlio year 1909, L-GENERAL.

1. General Situation.

Throughout the year 1909 the main preoccupation of the Soudiin Government lias been to ensure strict economy in all branches of administrative expenditure, in order to increase the funds available for the economic development of the country. At the same time, the general standard of administrative efficiency has been maintained by taking steps to improve the revenue where this could be done without hardship to the population. The only considerable undertaking carried out in 1909 was the extension of the railway southwards from Khartoum to Wad Medani, the cost of which has been advanced by the Egyptian Treasury. The funds necessary for continuing the line as far as the White Nile near Goz Abu Guma, and constructing a bridge over the river at that place, are also being provided by Egypt, and it is hoped that both works will be finished towards the close of 1910. Tlie bridge spanning the-Blue Nile at Khartoum should be completed in a few months.

By the death of King Leopold, the Lado Enclave reverts to the Soudan. The measures necessary for the effective occupation and administration of this new province are now under consideration.

At the commencement of 1910, a change of some importance was introduced into the system under which the Soudan is governed. For the last year or so it had been the practice of the Governor-General to assemble an informal council, composed of certain of the higher officials, for the purpose of asking their advice upon important matters; and it was thought that the time had arrived when it was desirable to go a step further and create a duly constituted Council to be associated with the Governor-General in the discharge of his executive and legislative powers. The view taken was that such a body would conduct its deliberations with a greater sense of responsibility than could be expected under the informal conditions which had hitherto prevailed, and v.muld prove a valuable safeguard against precipitate action on the part of the executive, or the adoption of insufficiently considered measures. The proposal was approved by the British and Egyptian Governments, and an ordinance putting it in force was duly promulgated in January last. The Council is composed of the Governor-General as president, four ex oijicio members, and from two to four additional members appointed by the Governor-General. The latter provision will enable a non-official element to be included, whenever such a course appears expedient. The present scheme is in some respects inspired by the analog}" of the Executive Council of the Governor-General of India, and, as is the case in India, the Governor-General is given power to overrule decisions of the Council. Subject to this proviso, all questions are decided by a majority of the Council. Any member dissenting from a decision may ask that his reasons be recorded on the minutes of the Council, and the Governor-General is obliged to record his reasons in the event of his overruling the majority. Amongst the matters which will be brought before the Council and formally decided by the Governor-General in Council are proposed laws and regulations; the annual budget, and all supplementary credits, whether out of the j'eservo fund or out of current revenue; and in general all administrative and legislative matters which the various Departments consider of sufficient importance to submit to the Council or which the Governor-General himself may wish to refer to it. In respect of other matters which may come up for discussion, the Council will act as an advisory council to the Governor-General.

Both Sir R. V/ingate and I anticipate that the new system will tend to promote administrative stability and continuity of policy in Soudan afiairs, and will prove a very useful part of the machinery of government, House of Commons Parliamentary Papers Online. Copyright (c) 2006 ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.