Independence “Making” Of Rhodesia

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31362, 6 May 1967, Page 14

Independence “Making” Of Rhodesia

Independence had been the not see that there should be making of Rhodesia, Mr E. R. any objection to next year’s Linnell, Rhodesia’s represen- world ploughing contest betative on the governing board ing held in Rhodesia.

of the World Ploughing Organisation, said in Christchurch

last evening. Sanctions, he said, had encouraged the development of secondary industries. This was a very fine thing, as it provided an opportunity for the absorption of educated Africans. Once they were educated they could not be expected to sit down and milk a cow. Rhodesia's standard of African education was the highest in Africa, with one in eight Africans attending a school, compared with one in 64 in Ethiopia. The country was calm, and the relationships between Europeans and Africans had never been better. Asked what the constitutional outcome was likely to be, Mr Llnnell said that he could not see what Britain could do, short of using force. “Economy Sound” The economy of Rhodesia was very sound, he said. A few weeks ago the Minister of Finance floated a loan of £l5 million sterling, and in a few minutes this was fully subscribed.

Trade was definitely going on, and he was sure that every six months and every year it would increase. In his view independence was long overdue, and when the history was written it would be the finest thing that had been done. Mr Linnell said he could

“We think it is a wonderful opportunity for people from

23 or 24 countries to see for themselves what is happening in our country, rather than take it from what they see in the newspapers these days.” Contestant Mr S. A. Moorcroft, who will represent Rhodesia in next week’s contest, has a 2400-acre property on the northern border with Zambia. He said that his wife and two young children were staying on his property by themselves while he was away, although his property was eight miles from the nearest neighbour. He said that the situation in his country had required some adjustment in his cropping programme. He had increased areas in maize and groundnuts while easing slightly on tobacco.