The Old-Model VSO
SIR,—As a former member of the Colonial Service who, alas, failed to attain 'Establishment' status (not even an MBE) I am saddened by Mr. George Edin- ger's disclosures about the original VSO. I. had always imagined that these young idealists had something, besides private means, which we did not have, that they went to places where we would not go. Now it appears that they rejoiced in postings to the remote bush, to up-river tribes and Indian reservations where (Mr. Edinger's very words just stink of colonialism) they were 'acclaimed as gods . . . 'made blood brothers . . . sped on their way with witch-doctors' spells to ensure their return.' Just like us. No wonder there is all this talk of neo- colonialism.
Mr. Edinger, without realising it, puts his finger exactly on the main weakness of our old colonial system : we devoted far too much attention to primitive tribes in remote places because we liked and sympathised with them and (I really must insist) on the whole they rather liked us. We should have given far more attention to the detribalised, the, city- dwellers, the educated and semi-educated Africans who now tread the corridors of power.
It seems that the primitive VSO, untainted by even the breath of official control, made precisely the same error. This is, indeed, disturbing and dis- illusioning, as though Mr. Wilson were suddenly disclosed as a secret pillar of the Primrose League. , CHARLES CHENEVIX TRENCH Abbot's Sharpham, Walton, Street, Somerset
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