LEE KUAN YEW, whose threats have sent the Straits Times
across the Causeway to safety in Malaya, can learn from Sir Roy Welensky. 'For two years the main press irritant in Rhodesia and Nyasa- land to the Federal Prime Minister has been the liberal fortnightly the Central African Examiner, Which consistently criticised his franchise and Nyasaland policies and supported his rival Mr. Todd. The Examiner, backed by a large copper company and by the Economist, was seemingly in a strong position to offer liberal criticism; and the editor's liberal independence was guaranteed by a Board of Trustees composed of the Federal Chief Justice, the Bishop of Northern Rhodesia and the principal of the University College. But something happened. Just before Todd's 1958 election defeat, the first editor resigned and Mr. David Cole, who has for some years been public relations consultant to the Federal Government, became temporary editor in addition to being managing director. The trustees, who by the jour- nal's constitution should have appointed a per- manent editor within two months, let things slide for ten—until the associate editor resigned in protest against the lack of criticism of the Govern- ment during the Nyasaland and Southern Rho- desia emergency. Then they made it clear that they could not stay unless certain changes were made in the journal's conduct; the directors would not agree, and the trustees are therefore resign- ing. No other trustees will be appointed; instead. Mr. Cole is almost certain to be confirmed as editor and• managing director. His public rela- tions partner Ian Hess is already assistant editor.
Previous page
