Strike Warning In N. Rhodesia

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29739, 5 February 1962, Page 13

Strike Warning In N. Rhodesia

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

ADDIS ABABA (Ethiopia), February 3

The Northern Rhodesian African nationalist leader, Mr Kenneth Kaunda, said today he would return home when his country’s new constitution was announced and “if it is unacceptable, I will sound a general strike call.”

Mr Kaunda, leader of the United National Independence Party, is attending a conference held under the auspices of the Pan-African Freedom Movement for East and Central Africa. He broke down and cried earlier today as he was telling the conference of conditions in his country, and the conference began singing "God Bless Africa ”

had caused the Commonwealth Relations Secretary (Mr Duncan Sandys) to fly to Salisbury next week. A London announcement yesterday said Mr Sandys would fly to Rhodesia on Tuesday for talks with Sir Roy Welensky on problems of common interest. Informed circles in London said Mr Sandys was expected to take with him the draft of the Northern Rhodesian constitution, which the British Cabinet had approved after long consideration. In London, the "Sunday Telegraph” said British and Southern Rhodesian authorities today expressed fears of a break-down this month in relations between Sir Roy Welensky and the British Government. The newspaper's Commonwealth correspondent said authorities "appear convinced” that the federation could not survive much longer in its present form.

Mr Kaunda told reporters it appeared there was disagreement between the Rhodesian Federal Prime Minister (Sir Roy Welensky) and the British Government, and this

The report said the British Government had decided to go back on its agreement with Sir Roy Welensky which favoured the Europeans in Northern Rhodesia.