12 FEBRUARY 1898, Page 16

THE STATE OF UGANDA.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR"] SIR, —I was much interested in your article on Uganda in the Spectator of January 29th, and more especially in the con- cluding paragraph, in which you raise the question as to whether the Foreign Office is the proper body to carry on the administration of that district. This is an important question, and one which has constantly occupied the attention of the African Committee of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, both as concerns Uganda and also the Niger Coast Protec- torate, and this Committee was convinced that better control could be exercised by the Colonial Office. No doubt, as you state in your article, the Foreign Office possesses many very able officials, but it is quite impossible they could have the same experience, nor have they the necessary machinery, which the Colonial Office has at its disposal. It is time this im- portant question was fully gone into, and is well worthy the attention of Mr. Chamberlain. In my opinion, if no insuper- able objections exist, the administration of all our protec- torates and half-fledged Colonies—Uganda, Nigeria, Rhodesia, Zanzibar, Nyassaland, &c. — should be placed under the control of the Colonial Office.—I am, Sir, &c.,

J. ARTHUR HUTTON.

29 Dale Street, Manchester, February 4th.