BANDA’S DEMANDS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29176, 9 April 1960, Page 13

BANDA’S DEMANDS

Release Of 140 Aides

LONDON, April 8. The Nyasaland African National Congress leader. Dr. Hastings Banda, who was released last week after 13 months in gaol, demanded in a television interview in London last night that his 140 imprisoned lieutenants be released also. He also revealed that a constitutional conference on Nyasaland would be held in June. Three days ago the Home Secretary (Mr R. A. Butler) said nothing could be released yet about the date of the conference. Dr. Banda referred to the Prime Minister of the Central African Federation (Northern and Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland) Sir Roy Welensky, as a “bully.” “He didn’t want me to come out of a prison,” he said. “He wanted me to stay there for two years.” He said he would not negotiate with Sir Roy Welensky. Dr. Banda demanded the release of his lieutenants when asked about the Monckton Commission, which is at present hearing evidence in the Federation in preparation for the constitutional review. Dr. Banda said that until his men were released he would not give evidence before the commission. He emphasised that he and his party demandedself-government for Nyasaland and secession from the Federation. Of the British Colonial Secretary (Mr Macleod) whom he met in Nyasaland after his release, Dr. Banda said: “He is a very great man: a good man. He understands our wishes in Nyasaland. He is a Christian gentleman.” Dr. Banda stressed that the future of Europeans in Nyasaland would be safeguarded. “They are our friends, our neighbours, our guests. They need have no fear,” he said.

He had already “put out a feeler” in the Protectorate and found that two-thirds of the British civil servants there would stay under an African-majority Government.

“We want them to stay: and if there are not enough of them I will recruit more of them in England, Scotland and Wales,” Dr. Banda said.