Snt,—In your editorial notes last week you - rightly drew
attention to the political progress made in the Gold Coast and -Nigeria and to the fact that in West Africa racial problems are much less intrusive than in East. Lord. Hemingford, in his interesting article, advocates the early grant to the Gold Coast of independence within the British Common- wealth and wisely stresses the importance of fixing a definite date by which it is to be achieved. His liberal views find an echo in a letter published in The Times of January 29th, written by Mr. E. F. Hitchcock of Tanga, Tanganyika, who, speaking as an employer, probably the largest in East and Central Africa, points out that, without racial parity and opportunities for the inhabitantt of all colours and faces to develop and advance their skills, " security for capital investment is imperilled and talk of partnership and economic progress a delusion." Coming from such a source, these remarks carry great weight, and emphasise the fact that the removal of _racial discrimination is not merely a matter of sentiment, but one of great economic import.
The views of these two men, both experienced-in African affairs and competent to speak with authority, differ fundamentally from those of Sir Godfrey Huggins, Prime Minister of S. Rhodesia, as expressed at a Press conference of January 29th. The latter holds the opinion that Europeans are the only people fit to rule and that an African must attain a certain financial standing before he can become eligible for the electoral roll. Educational qualifications, presumably, will be of no political value to Africans, obviously because eligibility based upon them might not ensure permanent European ascendancy.
Nevertheless, in spite of the colour-bar and their political disabilities, Africans must be made to co-operate (" play ball ") with Europeans because that, in his opinion, is the proper wayto advance them politic- ally and economically. in these circumstances Sir Godfrey's complaint that what irritates Europeans in Africa more than anything else is the suggestion that they cannot be trusted to give Africans a fair deal is not without an element of humour. In this connection it is interesting to note that the loyalty of the Europeans who, according to Sir Godfrey, must be placed in complete control if the federation scheme is put into effect can be measured by the fact that, unless they get what they want, they would, he feels, prefer to throw in their lot with the Union of South Africa,_ whose Prime Minister, Dr. Malan, has expressed himself in favour of seceding from the gritish Commonwealth.
The British Parliamenr.and 'Deople will shortly be called upon to decide whether federation is to be forced upon Africans, in spite of their almost-unanimous opposition, or not. The decision will be a momentous one and may have incalculable consequences; not only in the Commonwealth but throughout the world.- If federation is put into effect before Africans are given political, economic and social parity with Europeans, it means that H.M. Government will abdicate in favour of a small number of European settlers, whose views can be judged by Sir Godfrey Huggin's remarks quoted above, and that millions of loyal Africans, who have hitherto put their trust in the impartiality of the British Parliament, will be placed under their rule. It means that we shall lose the goodwill, and even incur the hostility, of all coloured races, including those who now form the overwhelming
majority of our fellow citizens in the Commonwealth. It means for- feiting the friendship and respect of liberal-minded people in America and elsewhere and aligning ourselves with those who subscribe to the doctrine of a " master race." It means, in short, abandoning those ideals which we fought to uphold throughout a long and devastating war with Nazi Germany and the principles which for generations we have continuously endeavoured to propagate.
Strong arguments, which it would be folly to ignore, can and will no doubt be advanced by those who think like Dr. Malan. It is not the purpose of this letter to pass judgement on the respective merits of the conflicting principles involved, but only to indicate what is likely, if not sure, to happen if a certain policy is followed. The issue is one of tremend9us significance, and a decision should not be lightly made; nor must extraneous matters such as the revolting atrocities of Mau Mau or the heroism of the European settlers in Kenya be permitted to deflect us from our duty to decide, without prejudice or passion, according to the dictates of reason, equity and common sense.—Yours faithfully,
5 Smith Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. H. R. PELLY.
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