RHODESIA INQUIRY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29070, 5 December 1959, Page 13

RHODESIA INQUIRY

Labour Party Boycott (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON. December 3.'.he British Labour Party tonight announced its refusal to participate in the Monckton Advisory Commission on the Rhodesian Federation. The Parliamentary Labour Party tonight endorsed the decision taken by its “shadow Cabinet” to refuse the Govern* ment’s offer of three seats on the' 26-member commission. Headed by Viscount Monckton, a former Conservative Cabinet Minister, the commission is to pave the way for the 1960 constitutional review of the federation, which consists of internals governing Southern Rhodesia and the two protectorates of Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia. It is understood that Labour’# final decision followed the Prime Minister’s refusal to give a public assurance on an interpretation of the commission's terms of reference. The Labour Party wanted these terms to enable the commission to consider and, if necesary, to make recommendations on other forms of association among the three Central African territories besides the federation. It is not yet known whether the Government will appoint six members of its own choice or will reduce the membership of the commission to 23.