SIR,—Accustomed to being called' 'rabid red' and 'left Liberal' here,
may I defend myself on the other side from my friends in England?
The Rev. K. MacKenzie doesn't like the Examiner's view of the economics of Nyasaland. But it makes sense to us here on the spot. Would he take a similar view of the decision of the CDC to stop its most successful afforestation scheme in the Nyika (empty of all inhabitants because of the relative cold) because of the political situation? Does he approve of Con- gress's opposition to anti-erosion measures? Will he like it if secession is brought about and the money for hospitals, schools, roads, etc., is just not there?
If an African mother brings her sick child to me
prescribe often a nasty medicine, and the child cries 'nakana"1 refuse!' Am I doing wrong to give the medicine instead of letting the child die or remain ill? I have lived twenty adult years with Africans (often sleeping in their houses), and I know that they are exactly the same as you and me! They want material prosperity, security, and to be allowed to give their children a chance to better themselves. They don't like riots and intimidation, most of them. They are intense realists.
Two wrongs don't make one right. To counter white reaction with black extremism and violence will certainly produce another Ghana (and don't for- get that Ghana had a hundred or two years of educa- tion where we have had only fifty). So we can look forward to Freedom to oppress and exploit non- whites by demagogic blacks. (And your editorial claim that in Rhodesia Africans are exploited and oppressed by settlers is inaccurate.)
If the moderate Rhodesians are allowed to do so, the slow abolition of the colour bar can be hastened, and progress for the poorest members of society be assured. This, is a Nationalism to aim for indeed, neither black nor white nor brown, but Rhodesian. Where all already may worship in the same Church, go to the same university, shop or transact business in the same places today, tomorrow may look for uniform treatment on the railways, receive education at the same secondary schools, and any who don't like it can quit!
You, sir, can help, as I said before, by supporting Sir John Moffat in the campaign to make sure that Dominion Status is not considered until all the inhabitants of the Federation want it. And secondly by urging that our troubles be taken out of the field of party politics, and a bi-partisan policy be accepted by all parties in the UK Parliament. You can be quite sure that we need help. This virulent and ill-informed press campaign in England is helping the UFP more than anything else. Why not help the Opposition (CAP) for% change?—Yours faithfully,
MONICA FISHER Greystone Park, PO Box 928, Kitwe, N. Rhodesia
P.S. : Inaccuracies, I can't remember all, too many! But the latest include Pharos's reference to the Consti- tution Party in his election forecast when the party had dissolved, and most of its members were support- ing the CAP. Taper lets it appear that the Mau Mau was against Europeans. As you know, for the few Europeans killed or maimed thousands of Africans were murdered, maimed, and frightened into oath- taking.
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