Correspondence with W.E. Owen

  • Reference
    • GB 133 GDN/A/O21
  • Dates of Creation
    • [1] Jul 1926-23 Sep 1931
  • Physical Description
    • 21 pieces; 24 sheets

Scope and Content

Correspondence with Walter Edwin Owen, clergyman and missionary, relating to a request that Owen act as a correspondent for the Manchester Guardian in Kenya, which is granted, with discussion of Owen's views on the current situation in Kenya. There is a letter of recommendation for Owen from Norman Leys, doctor and Africanist, with reference to an article by Owen on attacks on women in Kenya in The Times. There is discussion of payment for letters to the editor of the Manchester Guardian by Owen.

There discussion of a list of names of MPs provided by Owen to take part in a non-party group intended to take an interest in East Africa. Also included is an offer by Owen of a short series of articles for the Manchester Guardian on Kenya, which are accepted, with discussion of format, subjects, and payment for the articles, and discussion of a proposal that the laws of Kenya should be reproduced in a language that the native population are able to read.

There is correspondence relating to Owen's inability to continue as correspondent for the paper, owing to pressures placed upon the committee of his mission by the government in Kenya, and an expression of disappointment by Scott that Owen is no longer able to write freely. There is discussion of forced labour, the collection of fines imposed in court, and reference to the Hilton Young commission. Also included are internal memoranda relating to the acceptance of an article from Owen on the presentation to the joint committee on closer union in East Africa by representatives of the native population, and discussion of Owen's request to resume his role as correspondent for the Manchester Guardian in Kenya.

GDN/A/O21/1 is an internal employment history index card for Owen, 1926.