A Spectator's Notebook
SIR ROY WELENSKY'S statement that The solution of the Federation problem is not a political one. The problem is poverty and the solution in the main an economic one,' seems to me to be a perfect statement of the fallacy on which the Federation is founded—that an unac- ceptable political system can be successfully imposed upon any group of individuals for economic or any other reasons. Government without consent is tyranny and can only be sus- tained 1:i) ruthless force. It is illusory to hope that, as their standard of living improves, the North , Rhodesians and Nyasalanders will be prepared to become integrated on Sir Roy's terms in the existing structure of the Federation. Rather bitterness and resentment will increase, the memory of past hurts and slights will fester. Britain conferred great economic benefits on Ire- land and on India, but this did not make British rule acceptable. A full belly only encourages an appetite for freedom. The problem is a political one whether Sir Roy likes it or not—the problem of African representation and of the interpreta- tion of 'partnership.' To disregard the wishes of over seven million people, even if they are be- nightedly wrong, cannot be partnership. I agree with Sir Roy when he says he 'cannot accept that major decisions on the future of Federation should rest outside the people living there.' But the decisions must rest with all the seven and a half million people living there, not merely with 300,000 Europe is.
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