N. Rhodesia “Needs Aid From Commonwealth”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30480, 30 June 1964, Page 5

N. Rhodesia “Needs Aid From Commonwealth”

Northern Rhodesia, or Zambia as it will be known after Independence Day on October 24, required both technical and financial aid from Commonwealth • countries including New Zealand, said Mr Leonard Bean, the permanent secretary to the Prime Minister (Dr. K. Kaunda), yesterday. Mr Bean has just arrived in Christchurch to join his wife on six weeks’ furlough before they return to Northern Rhodesia. There were great opportunities for , work in Northern Rhodesia, especially for doctors, nurses, teachers, farm workers, veterinarians, engineers and defence workers, he said. The Government was looking- into the possibility of asking New Zealand, Canada, and Australia to send officers to assist with defence training. It also needed engineers and signals specialists.

Northern Rhodesia was a very exciting place to live in, said Mr Bean. “It has a thriving economy and something is happening all the time. - There is nothing static about the country,” he said. It was expected the transition from self-government to

independence would be a smooth process. Already the incidents made by various political factions had dropped from 300 a month in the first two months of self-govern-ment, which came in January, to a trickle of about 60, said Mr Bean.

There was a great deal of understanding among the races. “One of the most significant factors is the lack of tension between African and European,” he said. The Government had announced the Africanisation of the civil service, and it was inevitable that some whites would leave. They would all be compensated, he said. The Prime Minister was just the sort of man the country needed at a time such as independence, said Mr Bean. Dr. Kaunda, a man of great sincerity and integrity, had the confidence of all sections of the community. “He ij determined to produce a nation and not govern a loose confederation of tribes.” Mr Bean said the Princess Royal would represent the Queen at the independence celebrations. The Government was making arrangements to cater for a quarter of a million people..