Nyerere Scorns Pompous Africans

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30206, 10 August 1963, Page 11

Nyerere Scorns Pompous Africans

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, August 9. President Nyerere, of Tanganyika, has sent a circular to all Ministers, senior civil servants, police officers and party branches forbidding official arrogance and pomposity at the expense of the public.

Without mentioning Dr. Banda. of neighbouring Nyasaland, or President Nkrumah. of Ghana, the circula- scorned manifestations of Messianism practised by them

President Nyerere wrote that it was unfair' to clear

the roads when he went ou on every-day business.

This was unfair to the public, who had their legitimate business to do and the right to use the roads for it.

Nyasaland is legislating to make motorists pull over and clear the roads when Dr Banda roes out in his official car.

President Nyerere’said he doubted whether the public “really love being shouted at to get off the road because the President or a Minister or a regional commissioner is taking an afternoon drive."

Police escorts and clearing of roads were only justified on ceremonial occasions. President Nyerere also condemned excessive zeal about the Tanganyika National Anthem.

He said: “It is meaningless: in fact, it is insulting to the public, if we try to use an escort or play the National Anthem as a means of embroidering the most ordinary occasions. “It is not customary in other countries to play or sing their National Anthem without warning just because some Government official happens to have dropped in at a small gathering or landed at an airstrip on a visit to his mother-in-law.”

Bonn Decides On Demands

IN Z Press Assn.—Copyright) BONN, August 8

The West German Cabinet tonight agreed at a four-hour meeting on the guarantees it will demand before signing the nuclear tCst-ban treaty The Government press chief. Mr Karl Guenther von Hase, said no details could be announced Dr. Adenauer’s Government is seeking to prevent the use of the treaty to enhance the international position of East Germany.