A 4
at the Colonial Office before the Conference opened. During these oPage'd 2&iafi00 attend as delegates, he gave them assurances that by attending they would not be committing themselves in any way. The Nyasaland representatives then asked whether they might attend as observers, but when on the following day the Secretary of State agreed to this suggestion they withdrew it and declined to attend in any capacity. A similar invitation to attend as observers was made to the Northern Rhodesian representatives, who also declined. These African representatives remained in London during the Con- ference and had discussions with many interested individuals and groups. The day after the Conference closed the Secretary of State for the Colonies explained the findings of the Conference to them. The two African members of the Southern Rhodesian delegation on the other hand attended the Conference and took an active part in the proceedings.
disConferenceed the Secretary
III. THE DRAFT FEDERAL SCHEME
12. The scheme set forth in the present White Paper consists of detailed proposals which could if approved be translated into a con- stitutional instrument. The following is a summary of its main features:
(i) The Preamble
The Preamble sets forth the main principles underlying the scheme. It draws attention to the desirability of the three Territories associating for common purposes while retaining their separate identities. It reflects undertakings about the interests of Africans to which effect is given elsewhere in the scheme, and emphasises that these three Terri- tories are the rightful home of all their lawful inhabitants, whatever their origin.
(ii) Chapter I. The Federation
"The
This Chapter proposes that the Federation shall be known as Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland" and leaves it to the Federal Assembly to decide where the capital of the Federation is to be located.
(iii) Chapter II. The Federal Legislature
This Chapter provides for the division of legislative powers between the Federal and the Territorial Legislatures (which within their exclusive spheres are in no way subordinate to one another). It sets out a number of subjects on which only the Federal Legislature may make laws. It also specifies a number of other subjects with which both the Federal Legislature and the Territorial Legislatures may deal, pro- vided that in cases of inconsistency the Federal law will prevail. It also allows the Federal Legislature to delegate power to legislate on Federal subjects to the Territorial Legislatures, and (within certain defined spheres) allows the Territorial Legislatures to delegate power to the Federal Legislature. All subjects not specifically allotted to the Federal Legislature remain the responsibility of the Territories, and care has been taken to ensure that the Territorial Legislatures retain control of those matters which most closely concern the daily life of the agacan populazion