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Strategic
27. From the standpoint of both Commonwealth and local defence a single unit would be stronger and more effective a common defence policy
he communications and is essential an area whose communications and economies are so closely
related.
Communications
28. The necessity for the closest association between the three territories in rail transport, the construction and maintenance of trunk roads and civil aviation (including meteorological services) is self-evident. All three terri- tories are land-locked and efficient communications with the coast are vital to the economic welfare of the whole area. These communications and the links between the territories must in our view be planned on a Central African basis.
Administrative
29. Certain public services (e.g., posts and telegraphs) are similar in character in the three territories and their unification would secure greater efficiency. In some cases there is little chance of a service being provided at all on a territorial basis because of the relative lack of resources of the individual territories; if action is to be taken it must be on an inter-territorial basis. An example of this is the provision for Europeans and Africans of higher education, both academic and technical.
30. At present separate territorial legislation is required in respect of ser- vices jointly operated, e.g., Rhodesia Railways. This is a cumbersome arrange- ment and what is wanted is a means of passing legislation in the form of a single Act.
Moral and Social
31. The advantages which we consider would accrue to all communities in the territories from closer association might appear, as we have set them out, to be related only to material development. We should not wish it to be thought that the moral and social aspects had escaped our attention. Closer association would bring in its train a quickening expansion of the economy of the area as a whole and, therefore, greater prosperity; this would, in turn, lead to an expan- sion of Government finance and, consequently, even though a particular depart- ment might not be brought within any scheme for closer association, to the provision of better facilities for education (including community education), better health services (both curative and preventive), improved water supplies, housing and agricultural services, and improved social standards generally. The need for these improvements is felt by all communities, and in particular by the Africans, who form the great bulk of the population. The moral and social advancement of Africans will march with the economic development of their countries and in our view the pace of such development will be slower if con- tinued on the present basis than if closer association is brought about.
The Urgency of the Problem
32. We consider that a crucial stage has been reached in Central Africa European political development is already well advanced; and there is a growing political consciousness among Africans. The latter is in part a natural development due to the improvement and expansion of the social and economic services; but there can be no doubt that thinking Africans as well as Europeans in all the territories are becoming increasingly anxious about the course of native policy south of the Limpopo. We believe strongly that economic and