CHRISTIANITY IN POLITICS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27425, 11 August 1954, Page 6

CHRISTIANITY IN POLITICS

Praise For British Rule In Africa

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) MINNEAPOLIS (Minnesota), Aug. 9. The Rt. Rev. A. W. Howells, Assistant Bishop of Lagos, West Africa, told delegates to the World Anglican Conference last night that his country had made ‘‘such an advance under British rule” that it was on the road to selfgovernment. “Before the British came to colonist Africa we had our own system of gov ernment and civilisation,” he told t missionary mass meeting. “The people were ruled directly by their chiefs, who had their councils and courts. When the British came they ruled indirectly through the chiefs and they gradually taught us democracy. “Today we have made such an advance under British rule that we are on the road to governing ourselves.” Dr. Howells said that the church had never doubted “the rightfulness of selfgovernment.”

“She cannot reasonably do so, because she has herself achieved selfgovernment,” he said. “But her concern is that when colonies become selfgoverning and independent dominions there will be good government,” he added.

“At the present many of the leaders in politics are professing Christians. “Whether or not we have Christian leaders, we must have Christians in politics.”