Victory for Moderation
The suspension of two members of the Convention People's Party by Dr. Nkrumah, the Gold Coast Prime Minister, is a victory for moderation in a field where such victories are rare. The suspended members, Mr, Antony Woode, a member of the Legislative Assembly, and Mr. Turkson Ocram, general secretary of the Gold Coast T.U.C., had been entrusted by their leader with the job of gaining control of the trade unions. Once in power, they immediately caused a resolution to, be passed proclaiming the disaffiliation of the Gold Coast T.U.C. from the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and attacking British and American labour leaders in the familiar terms of Communist polemic. Mr. Woode was reported to be in Vienna taking part in the congress of the Com- munist-controlled World Federation of Trade Unions, and Dr. Nkrumah's reaction showed that he recognised a serious threat. He made it quite clear that it was not in the best interests of the Gold Coast for any true nationalist to allow himself to be used by a Communist organisation. The offensive being launched by the WFTU has received a serious set-back. The moral would seem to be that generosity does sometimes pay off in Colonial affairs. Pessimists should reflect that one Nkrumah balances several Jagans.
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