RHODESIA INQUIRY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29068, 3 December 1959, Page 17

RHODESIA INQUIRY

Labour Plans Boycott (N.Z. Pres# Association— Copyright) _ . LONDON, Dec. 2. The British Labour Party was considered last night unlikely to join an official commission to advise on the constitutional review of the Rhodesian Federation. Political quarters said this was gathered after Labour “shadow cabinet” members had met for consultations last night The bulk of the Labour Party was believed to feel that Labour could not join the comfriission because its terms were too narrow and did not state categorically that the commission could recommend an alternative to federation. They were also believed to feel there is insufficient African representation on the commission. pie Labour leader, Mr Hugh Gaitskell, is expected to tell this to the Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) today unless there is an unexpected last-minute change of view. The Rhodesian Federation consists of the internally selfgoverning Southern Rhodesia and the protectorates of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The advisory commission is headed by Viscount Monckton, a former Cabinet Minister. Last week Mr Macmillan announced the names of the commission’s 20 non-political members. They include five Africans. The six poUtical appointments —three from the Government, and three from the Oppositionare yet to be named.