SIR,—As a citizen of Southern Rhodesia who has lived there
for fourteen years, I write to emphasise the importance of Mr. Nyandoro's article last week. More than anyone else, George Nyandoro has the affection, respect and backing of virtually all African people of Southern Rhodesia and of those Europeans who know him personally. This is not lust because he has been ten years in the vanguard of leadership and has suffered four years' detention, but primarily because of his personal integrity. His article reveals his moderation. The vast majority of the population of Southern Rhodesia acclaim these qualities. His urgent call for immediate constitutional action by the British Government is as much in the interest of Europeans as of Africans. Recent talk of revolutionary action within the governing party, facing citizens with the prospeot of treason as a possible choice, underlines the gravity of the state to which the country has drifted. Trouble- some events elsewhere in Africa can be interpreted as revealing the results of prolonged periods of struggle before majority rule is achieved.
In Southern Rhodesia, Europeans, Asians and Africans have to learn to live together' amicably for their mutual benefit. Every day of delay increases the difficulties for all to adjust. The British Govern- ment must help. Its democratic intentions must be specific, made known to all, and implemented quickly. The conference which must be called to plan majority rule must consider also the economic aid necessary to safeguard the property and so ease the fears of individual Europeans. We arc three and a half million people in Southern Rhodesia and our needs are urgent! Only the British Govern- ment can meet them now!
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