SIR,—The future of the High Commission territories is being raised
again and, if pressed by the Union Government to the point of decision, will be subject to "consultation " with the inhabitants. It is regrettable that after periods of British rule stretching well back into the last century, there are still very few of the inhabitants able to present a reasoned definition of their wishes and their problems in a form that would meet with general understanding. Nor are there many who are trained to assist, except at a subordi- nate level, in the development of their countries. Very few have been given higher education or have been outside South Africa except as soldiers, and workers in their excellent response to the call from their King in the last war. The Union Government in- -tends to close its own schools and institutions of higher education to "foreign" Africans. The possibility of a university college for Central Africa is now being considered but if it were to be established it could not be fully working for some years.
We do not, of course, regard a university degree and residence abroad as the only quali- fications for leadership and effective service. But we believe that, in the isolation and back- wardness of these territories, there is urgent need for some of these men and women to bring such experience to the help of their peoples. The " Africa Protectorates Trust " has therefore been established to provide scholarships to enable students from these territories to obtain a university education in Britain or elsewhere. Its funds so far are sufficient to finance one student. We appeal for further subscriptions to enable us to open this opportunity to two or three more students in the belief that this would be one of the most effective ways in which we, in this country, could fulfil the obligations which history has ,laid upon us in regard to these three countries. The Trust is also open to students from South-West Africa, another and neighbouring territory in which the Africans suffer from isolation and poverty and an un- certain status.—Yours faithfully,
C. M. BOWRA, RAYMOND PRIESTLEY, J. A. VENN, M. F. PERHAM, NOEL-BUXTON, R. W. STOPFORD, MICHAEL SCOTT
69 Great Peter Street, S.W.)
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