Britain's Policy Unchanged

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 15117, 28 October 1949, Page 3

Britain's Policy Unchanged

Incorporation Of African

Protectorates

Move For Development Of

Continent

(Rec. 8.45 a.m.) Lcndon, Oct. 27

It was stated in Parliament today that the United Kingdom Government had received no representations from the South African Government on the possible incorporation' of British Protectorates into the Um<-n.

The Under Secretary for Commonwealth Relations (Mr Walker) said he had seen a Press report of the speech by Dr Malan, the South African Prime Minister, which seemed to indicate that representations would be made later.

An official report, however, added Mr Walker, had not yet reached .London. He refererd to a statement made in the House last year, in which it was said that United Kingdom Government policy on the subject remained unchanged. The African Scientific Conference which has been meeting in Johannesburg for nearly a fortnight has recommended the setting up of a permanent scientific council for African territories south of the Sahara.

A correspondent in Johannesburg says the council will aim at coordinating scientific work in the greater part of Africa as a move towards developing the continent. The conference —first suggested three years ago, at the Commonwealth Scientific Conference in Great Britain—is being attended by more than 100 delegates from Great Britain, France, Belgium, Portugal ?nd the whole of Africa south of the Sahara.