NEW AFRICAN FEDERATION

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25732, 18 February 1949, Page 7

NEW AFRICAN FEDERATION

Rhodesias And Nyasaland PLAN AGREED TO BY DELEGATES (N .Z.P. A.—Reuter—Copyright) SALISBURY (Southern Rhodesia), February 16. A plan for a Federation of Southern and Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland under one Constitution was unanimously agreed to by delegates of all three territories at the opening of an unofficial conference at Victoria Falls. The proposed Constitution would create a Federal Parliament which would be likely to include in its functions (1) defence. (2) transport, (3) customs. (4) immigration, (5) communications.

A second conference will be called to work out details before the plan is submitted to the British Government for approval. When the scheme for the union of the two Rhodesias and Nyasaland has been finally drawn up it must first be approved by the British Government and then submitted to the electors of Southern Rhodesia, who have been promised a referendum before any final decision is taken. The schemes for the formation of a new Dominion do not end with the union of the Rhodesias and Nyasaland, but envisage the eventual linking of the new federation with yet another African Dominion, comprising Kenya, Tanganyika, and Uganda. Mixed Feelings in South Africa These schemes are viewed with mixed feelings in South Africa, where the emergence of new British Dominions in the north, possibly with more accommodating native policies than those now prevailing in the Union, are regarded in some circles with deep misgivings. The London “Daily Telegraph” commenting upon the Victoria Falls conference, says: “The possibilities of creating a new Dominion in what has been called ‘Capricorn Africa’ seem more attractive because of the effort to develop in Africa a new larder for the world. Moreover, it would be idle to deny that Dr. Malan’s policy in South Africa suggests to many minds the desirability of strengthening, outside the Union, influences more certain to adhere to the Commonwealth.” Of the three territories. Southern Rhodesia is much the most advanced towards Dominion status. For the last 25 years it has been a self-gov-erning colony administered by the Commonwealth Relations Office and not by the Colonial Office. Northern Rhodesia, on the contrary, is administered directly by the Colonial Office with the Governor as supreme authority under the Colonial Secretary. Nyasaland is a protectorate with a Crown Colony government. According to “The Times,” the latest estimates of the populations of the three territories are: Southern Rhodesia 110,000 Europeans. 1,870,000 Africans. 8500 Asiatics; Northern Rhodesia, 30,000 Europeans, 1.700,000 Africans, and 2500 Asiatics: Nyasaland, 2200 Europeans, 2,220,000 Africans, and 3700 Asiatics.