THE RHODESIAS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 102, 27 October 1938, Page 9

THE RHODESIAS

SCHEME FOR NEW DOMINION

RETURN OF THE COMMISSION

<By Air Mail, from "The Post's" London

Representative.)

LONDON, September 12.

Lord Bledisloe has completed the first part of his task as chairman of the Koyal Commission which has been inquiring into the possibilities of closer association between the two Rhodesias and Nyasaland. The Commission was set up in answer to repeated representations in favour of the amalgamation of Northern Hhodesia and Southern Rhodesia into one self-governing unit, and the chief interest lies in whether Lord Bledisloe and his colleagues will recommend that responsibility for the administration of this vast territory should be transferred entirely to the Government at Salisbury. Since union with South Africa was rejected by Southern Bhodesia, the creation of a new Dominion in South Central Africa has attracted growing support, official and unofficial, but the scarcity of European population—little more than 60,000 today—-has all along been recognised as an obstacle. On arrival at Southampton, on Saturday, with Lady Bledisloe, Lord Bledisloe said: "We'took evidence from over 2001 people of all sections of the community, both Europeans and natives.] Now we have to consider our report, i which eventually will be submitted to; the King through the Government Department concerned. "In all three territories the Royal i Commission received a most cordial! and hospitable welcome, and the fullest i possible information was furnished to I us fr-om both, official and unofficial sources. "We \ shall now have to consider whether, and to.what extent, we can recommend closer union of the three territories. The solution to the problem is rendered more difficult by the paucity of the unofficial European population in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. "In Southern Rhodesia there are 55,000 whites and 1,300,000 natives; in Northern Rhodesia, 13,000 whites and 1,400,000 natives; while in little Nyasaland there are 1,600,000 natives, a very! congested population, and only 3000 j whites, most of whom are Government officials!"