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7. There was general agreement in the Conference that economic and political partnership between Europeans and Africans is the only policy under which it was
federation could be your closer association would have
brought about in the conditiopage 15 diet to that
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recognised principle.
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to give effect
8. The Conference was gravely concerned at the dangers which would flow from any weakening or dilution of the British connection and British traditions and principles in the three territories and agreed that they should so be strengthened as to ensure that they should continue to prevail.
9. The Conference recognised the advantages which-if an acceptable scheme with adequate safeguards for all could be agreed upon-would arise from the common handling of problems that transcend territorial boundaries, such as communications, research, defence, higher education, and the planning of economic development. 10. It has however been made clear at the Conference that one of the main obstacles to the general acceptance of federation rests in the apprehensions felt by Africans in the two northern territories that federation might impair their position and prospects in the respective territories.
11. The Conference agreed that in any further consideration of proposals for federation:-
(i) The protectorate status of the two northern territories would be accepted and preserved. This therefore excludes any consideration now or in the future of amalgamation of the three territories unless a majority of the inhabitants of all three territories desired it.
(ii) Land and land-settlement questions in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland must remain, as at present (subject to the ultimate authority of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom), the responsibility of the territorial Government and Legislature in each territory and not of any federal authority. The land rights of the African people in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland must remain secured in accordance with the existing Orders in Council on the subject.
(iii) The political advancement of the peoples of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, both in local and territorial government, must remain as at present (subject to the ultimate authority of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom) the responsibility of the Government and Legislature of each territory, and not of any federal authority.
12. It was further agreed that if any form of closer association is eventually decided on all these rights should be enshrined as an integral part of the constitution.
13. The Conference did not reach the stage of discussing the constitution and powers of the Federal Parliament, but the Southern Rhodesian delegation intimated that there were certain points in the Report as written with which they do not agree and which should be discussed with all concerned before the resumed conference is held. These points would not weaken the powers of the territorial legislatures referred to in paragraph 11 above.
14. The Conference understood that other delegations might also have reservations on points in the Report as written.
Y
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