Welensky Charges British Treachery

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30103, 10 April 1963, Page 15

Welensky Charges British Treachery

(W Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

SALISBURY, April 8.

The Rhodesian Federal Prime Minister (Sir Roy Welensky) told Parliament today: “The Macmillan Government will go down in history as one of the most effete Governments it has been the misfortune of the British people to endure.

“It is sad to reflect on how a great nation can be humbled when its Government allows principles to abdicate to expediency and diplomacy to give way to duplicity.” Outlining the events of the last few years culminating in the Briitish Government’s decision to allow any of the Federal territories to secede. Sir Roy Welensky said: “The story I have had to disclose is a sorry one

“It is one of treachery and deceit, seldom, I believe, equalled in negotiations between nations which have hated each either, and almost inconceivable in the relationship between Commonwealth governments. “The British Government is still, without doubt, set upon a policy of disengagement from responsibility in Africa at aU and any cost,” he said. “The interests of the white man and the ordinary moderate African in his thousands are being sacrificed in a long-drawn-out act of appeasement which put Munich in the shade ”

Sir Roy Welensky said the Macmillan Government “might well be dolls dancing to the tune of a puppetmaster.”

It was beyond doubt intended that all Africa “is to be handed over the racialism, whether the cost be a Congo or an Algeria.” he said. The Governor-General of the Rhodesian Federation (Lord Dalhousie) also criti-

cised the British Government in his speech opening what may be the last session of the Federal Parliament.

In granting Northern Rhodesia the right to secede from the Federation the British Government had acted unilaiterally and against the wishes of Federal Ministers. Lord Dalhousie said in the Speech from the Throne. "My Government is con-

vinced that the British Government has betrayed the people of the Federation, and has done them irreparable harm,’’ he said. “Momentous decisions affecting the future of the Federation and of all its inhabitants have been taken by the British Government unilaterally and against the wishes of my Minister ”.