The Press SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1959. A Time for Compromise

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28832, 28 February 1959, Page 12

The Press SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1959. A Time for Compromise

The lesson of Cyprus has been imperfectly learned by Dr. Hastings Banda and the Nyasaland African Congress. Violence did not force the Cyprus solution reached in Zurich and London; rather, it was calm negotiation and compromise that brought strife to an end without the terrorists achieving their aim of enosis. If the extremists among Nyasaland’s 3,250,000 Africans now provoke a serious emergency in the ' protectorate they may jeopardise their chances of progress. If there is not to be conflict compromise is necessary. The European settlers in the Central African Federation, which includes Nyasaland, have been slow, or unwilling, to respond to the African awakening with political, social, and economic adjustments. In Southern Rhodesia, the most important section of the federation, Britain has virtually handed over her responsibilities; and the Africans in the north and in Nyasaland now have the opportunity to see what the future holds for them when the full federation casts off its ties with the Colonial Office. Africans are not impressed with the view. Though the flag of partnership flies in Salisbury, racial segregation and white domination are largely the accepted doctrines. The Africans fear that if the federation becomes independent too soon their political, social and economic status, as the “Man- • “ Chester Guardian ” puts it, will "eventually be forced into the " frozen posture endured in “ South Africa ”. For their part, the Europeans fear that, if the Africans prematurely acquire full political power, not only European privileges but the whole progress of the country will be imperilled. There are good gounds for fear on both sides. Not enough African statesmen and civil servants are ready

to cope with the affairs of a backward country emerging into independence; nor have the Europeans in the federation given much indication that they are prepared to concede the fundamental need of a multiracial society; a wide diffusion of political power among the people of all races. As a result, Dr. Banda and his followers wish to withdraw from the federation and seek immediate African control of Nyasaland. They are prepared to back their demands with violence, which will serve only to increase tensions and to discourage progressive European thought. It is to be hoped that cooler heads will prevail, for a settlement of this basic question must be made next year when the Prime Minister of the Federation, Sir Roy Welensky, goes to London to review the federal constitution and, the Europeans hope, gain the federation’s independence. Racial partnership remains the basis of the constitution; but the term has yet to be clearly defined. Does it mean continued European control with the door to administrative posts held open to a few selected Africans? Or will the door be thrown open to all Africans, regardless of educational standards, which is how the African leaders interpret the term? The Rhodesians voted solidly for the former concept last year, when Sir Roy Welensky was swept to power in the federal election. If the Africans’ answer is to be violence, there can be no compromise and Britain’s hopes of diffusing power among both races will be dashed, perhaps irreparably. The Africans have nothing to gain and much to lose by . following hotheads now. What common ground there is for an accommodation will disappear, and there will be no way of allaying the fears of the opposed racial groups.