The British concept of ‘indirect rule’ as enumerated by Lord Lugard was very similar to the French policy of association. In the ‘indirect rule’ rule system power was delegated to local chiefs and others with pre-existing claims to power. The British gave these jobs to people sympathetic with British interests so that the colonies could be controlled. The local chiefs were in charge of everything from collecting taxes to deciding the outcome of local disputes, and quite importantly quelling any anti-British riots among his people. Through this method the British didn’t have to expend any more effort than was necessary to control their African colonies, and kept both the financial and personnel costs on their end to a minimum.