“Britain Not Putting Colonies First”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29633, 2 October 1961, Page 8

“Britain Not Putting Colonies First”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SALISBURY (Southern Rhodesia), Sept. 30. The Prime Minister of the Central African Federation, Sir Roy Welensky, said yesterday that Britain was busy ridding itself of its Colonial responsibilities in a way which was not putting the interests of all sections of the people of her colonies first.

“We also know of the fetish of independence and so-called freedom that has become so deeply embedded in American thinking in the past few years.” Sir Roy Welensley said, the British United Press reported. He was speaking at a meeting of the Federal Public Service Association in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia. “We know only too well of the cynicism, incompetence and amoraiity of United Nations intervention in Africa—in the name of peace if you can now believe that. Lastly, we know the forces of violence within our own boredrs.” he said.

Sir Roy Welensky said that the Federation could not be insulated against the extreme actions of African nationalism.

Sir Roy Welensky said: "Unless we continue not only with our firmness, but also with our liberalism, our defences against it will be vulnerable. Our destiny is in our hands.”

Sir Roy Welensky said that the people of the Federation recognised the need for a controlled change. He said that it would be a

disaster for most of its people if Nyasaland withdrew from the Federation.

He accused the United National Independence Party of “disturbing the life of Northern Rhodesia as part of a process pressed on Northern Rhodesia from outside — a process which I for one am determined to put a stop to.”