The Way of Michael Scott
Sta,—Only a week ago, the protagonists of the opposition to Federation in the• House of Lords (including the only bishop who took part in the debate on the Second Reading), expressed their conviction that it was the duty of all good citizens to do their best to make Federation work once it became law. Yet the Rev. Michael Scott, following up, his notorious exhortation to Africans in the market place at Blantyre " to plan their own resistance," now attempts to justify his advocacy of civil disobedience (if I understand him rightly) as " not incompatible with the methods and spirit of Christ." I do not pro- pose to follow him into theological argument. But it is permissible to point out that when he says " the choice for the African people lies between the methods of violent and non-violent resistance," he ignores a third alternative. I submit that obedience to the law is more in accordance with Christian principles than civil disobedience.
But what does Mr. Scott hope to achieve by his advocacy of
non-violent resistance Does he aim to set back the clock to the status quo ante, to the era when there was no " bogus partnership," no " representation based upon racial discrimination," no " imposi- tion" (I am reminded of the remark of the Member for Keighley: " All Colonial Government is an imposition "), no inter-racial Universities.? Nyasaland, more than any of the other constituent members, stands to gain from Federation. It is calculated from the statistics of the Fiscal Commission that she will benefit to the extent of three million pounds,' a sum that will enable her to emerge from the stagnation of today and to escape from the financial stringency of the future.
Or is his object self-government for the Africans, a policy which both the political parties in England are pledged to reject, a policy of Black domination which must lead to depriving the Africans of the Protectorate Status which both they and Mr. Scott wish to retain
In conclusion, I would like to quote the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury, addressed to missionaries from Africa last week, as reported in The Times: "It was now the duty of every Christian person to help to make African federation succeed. Although federation might fail disastrously, it was equally possible it might succeed gloriously." Mr. Scott should ponder over this message.—
Yours faithfully, E. H. LANE POOLE (Secretary). United Central Africa Association, 17 Old Bond Street, W.I.
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