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8/17/1953 - Preparation for Federation by Peter Bird Martin

NOT FOR PUBLICATION INSTITUTE OF CTRRENT rORLD AFFAIRS Fereday Drive Preparation Federation Eastlea Salisbury Southern Rhodesia August Mr Walter S Rogers Institute 0urrent World Affairs Fifth Avenue New York New York Dear Mr Rogers One busiest federation which officially being August Mr A D Evans Southern hodesian Secretary Inter Affairs chairman federal Joint Preparatory Committee In I appeared Friday offices Princess Margaret Hospital natives nowhere found I understand receptionist Mr Evans hundreds appointments durin months She excused herself answer telephone ringing urgently counter I settled myself African newspapers which spread table I minutes returned worried piece paper Mr Evans taken suddenly lunch His phoned sorry could My disappointment shown asked voice Would Party He deputy chairman mittee In minutes I walking corridor hospital toward Mr Parry office Parry proved pleasant young The which crossed greet evidently military origin since necktie tucked shirt former soldier might occupied other thoughts He Northern lqhodesia member Central African Council which after report warBledisoe Commission indicated amalgamation federation three territories As Council unofficial coordinating actual power The Joint Preparatory Committee which deputy chairman formed June became evident federation would passed London little alteration During course government circular labeled confi_dential I could I promised contents would available press It It necessary three Central African Governments should association begin planaing Federal organisation should understanding since necessary legislation found Federation still passed final stages United Kingdom Parliament approval Majesty existence activities proposed organlsation should publicised It essential planning happen within Feder sphere after arrival Governor General those appointed Federal machine should regard themselves nucleus Federal looking things standpoint Federation rather individual territories owing single minded loyalty matters which become Federal future Federal Interim Minis Government Legislature In Interim period general Joint Preparatory Organisation addition making essential practical arrangements would assemble factual information which possible within available would amount preliminary advice which Interim Ministry would offer Governor General assump office Federation passed The provision above paragraphs barring publicity outdated pieces information about activities committee finding their local newspapers Boiled thought behind workings committee Under federal constitution Governor General Lord Llewellin power virtual dictator during between September arrives until federal parliament elected December about December Although administrative experience British President Board Trade Minister Aircraft Production Minis Food knows little nothing about running federation When arrives Prime Minister several subordinate minis manage country until legislature elected functioning The various working parties subcommittees under committee advise Lord Llewellin ministers government We building embryo government Parry In theory ministers That myths government Bu common knowledge among government people definitely publication Llewellin Sir Godfrey Huggins Prime Minister Huggins government And happens already pretty ministers Parry would names individ ministers He disclose these working committees working parties position Llewellin reins government arrives The future ministers working parties ready unofficial federal treasury cabinet office office internal affairs office external affairs attorney general office which likelihood become official after September It might point short rundown governing powers which Llewellin during interval between September December assistance Under terms constitution Governor General prove method holding election Nyasaland where there never election before Parry electoral college system Nyasaland because inexperience tions The Governor General appoint interim ministry He bound advice ministry disregard opinions If disregard opinion ministry report dissenting opinion government London He administrator special which establish government going concern Parry Llewellin doubt accept advice ministers spending money accounting money spent first federal parliament He vested executive legislative powers during interim period regulations imposes treated legislative continue after election parliament unless amended The constitution itself effect until declared Governor General He shortly before federal elections order election machinery three territories pecialiy Nyasaland In newspaper announced Various working parties forming recommendations Governor General Mr Evans possible disclose these until received Governor General approval Mr Parry after I assured I writing publica press principal working parties which economic financial party public services party tariff party The economic financial party under chairmanship Sir Andrew Strachan Secretary Treasury Southern Rhodesia Gen erally dealing development needs federation relation resources natural financial It doubt tailed federal development activities Parry It preparing information Apportionment Com mission named Governor General under terms consitution which comprehensive assets liabilities territory which eventually transferred federal government The public services working party setting system corresponding civil service system United States Its chairman Mr T S Chegwidden director Southern Rhodesian Public Services Board It Public Service Act Civil Service Act outline service conditions future civil servants It selecting staff temporary ministry The public service working party different others P since already designated unofficially working party which become perzanent after Governor General arrives temporary ministry It already certain amount unwelcome pressure applied since which making recommendations appointments nucleus ministerial offices Mr G E Thornton retired Financial Secretary Northern Rhodesia tarriff working party which setting organization control customs excise export duties collected federal government It investigating titude trade agreements which three territories other colonies nations individually which therefore federation A parliamentary working party organized under leadership Colonel Go E Wells former clerk Southern Rhodesian parliament It setting rules order debate parliament It attempting decide where federal assembly should although Parry assured federal parliament doubt Southern Rhodesian parliament building Cecil Square Salisbury The above mentioned working parties designated holding regular meetings since June Five working parties which occasionally which dissolve completely after final reports income customs health office legal working parties Their matter centralizing administration organizations spheres which ready exist territories Since Parry Sir Godfrey Hugglns asked interim government obvious ministers chooses members party Federal Party which Oust Huggins The Federal Party composed rnment leaders three territories supported federation during referendum natural Huggins should choose these actual business getting country under However opposition party Federal Party formed Federal Party organized It called Confederate Party drawing surprising number followers PBM Suppose I Parry Confederate Party election instead Federal Party Wouldn members Con federate Party nothing organization procedure election hamper country Wouldn great ground already covered these working committees Federal Party interim ministry Parry looked shocked stared amazed fashion though wondering anyone right could imagine member Confederate Party parliament That problem could solved answered inadequately I thought In future letters I organization getting under parti which formed federal elections December I Confederate Party although repugnant powerful Hugglns followers amazing amount support surprise people comes count votes ncerely Peter Bird Martin P S In havenlt I enclose important sections federal constitution Received New York PBM The Federal Assembly elected members Southern Rhodesia Northern Rhodesia Nyasaland Two specially elected Africa members Southern Rhodesia Northern Rhodesia Nyasaland One European speci elected represent Africans Southern Rhodesia One Euro specially appointed Governor Northern Rhodesia specially appointed Governor Nyasaland represent Africans The Speaker elected Parliament selected member either Federal State legislatures resign present Speaker Southern Rhodesia member Parliament The Federal Assembly least years A general election follow within three months dissolution Parliament There Prime Minister Executive Council consisting Ministers chosen Prime Minister In Federal Public Service appointments grounds competence experience suitability grounds There Federal Supreme Court consistln Federal Chief Justice other Judges A standing committee Federal Assembly The African Affairs Board consis three Europeans three Africans advise Prime Minister matters affecting interests Africans This board ha__s spec_ial power reserve certain differential legislation Queen pleasure This really temporary power which would refer measure London Colonial Office which follows liberal native policy followed From taxes Southern Rhodesia Northern Rhodesia Nyasaland The Federal Government The territorial governments collect money charging extra income which cannot share receive Federal government The territorial legislatures restricting movement commodities between territories except petrol A Loans Council govern external borrowing The entire constitution reviewed years conference delegates federation three territories British Government