The following extracts are from the ‘Tanganyika Standard’ in the latter part of 1943, and were included in TA 46 (Sept 1993)

‘THE MOST SAVAGE CAMPAIGN OF THE WAR’
‘The campaign was brief, lasting barely two months. It was bloody, no quarter being given. It was unremitting. 3,520 African soldiers and 60 British officers and NCO’s were in action at the end. Eventually the campaign extended to 12,000 square miles. 380 vehicles were used ….. ‘

This East African campaign was not waged against a human foe but against one of mankind’s greatest hereditary scourges – locusts. Some 90% of the large and very dense hopper hordes were exterminated (August 20, 1943).

18 SETS OF LEADERS IN ZANZIBAR
Colonel Oliver Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies, addressed a large meeting of the Royal Empire Society in London about his recent tour of East Africa. Among the scenes that would remain in his memory was driving through Zanzibar amid the smell of cloves and his impression of peace and friendliness which was surprising since he was introduced to no less than 18 sets of leaders (laughter). Colonel Stanley spoke also of the Lutheran Mission at Dar es Salaam where the Germans had begged to be allowed to carry on but where, actually, were found effigies and a shrine to Adolf Hitler (December 11,1943).

SURPLUS BALANCE
His Excellency the Governor described Tanganyika’s financial position as ‘sound and satisfactory’ during his budget speech. There would be a surplus balance of about £965,000. There would be no change in taxation in 1944 and the estimated revenue would be £3,510,000. The biggest budget increases would be for the PWD, Medical, Veterinary and Education services. The Governor referred to the serious manpower shortages. The demand for new recruits for the armed forces would show a large reduction in 1944 but the demand for labour for production was increasing. The vast majority of labourers were volunteers, conscripts being less than 10%. Mainly because of poor weather it would be necessary to import staple foodstuffs during the next nine months in order to keep up the production of sisal, pyrethrum, rubber and other essentials