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New Zealand Listener, Volume 15, Issue 384, 1 November 1946, Page 5

Sir,-J. L. Winchester seems to be of the mistaken opinion that Russia gives equality to hér subject peoples. He should study the background of ‘the Russian invasion of Sinkiang in» 1935 and seé how the Tungans were treated. The treatment of Indians. and ‘natives in Natal is dtie not to British democracy, but to the suppressive tactics of 60 per cent. of the white South Afficans-the French, Dutch, German element (Afrikaaners). British democracy was well displayed in South Africa in 1833 when natives were placed on an equal status in law with the whites, and in the Cape of Good Hope the natives were enfranchised on equal terms with the whites. However, the problem to which Mr. Winchester makes reference is very complex. For the last half-century British tule has brought peace and tolerance to Africa. Now Indians are emigrating en masse from India to the East Coast of Africa with an idea of superseding the British and exploiting the natives. It is to prevent this catastrophe that the line of action to which Mr. Winchester refers has been taken. The attitude of the natives themselves is shown by the fact that when Mr. Bevin offered the British mandates for trusteeship, the natives of Togoland and Tanganyika demanded British rule only and none other. British democracy at work may be shown by the fact that in the last few years the number of trades union officers in one part of British Africa had grown from 30 to over 150. It is important to» remember that when Russia marches into a territory, that territory becomes an integral part of Russia. In regard to Britain and her colonies this is not so. Every Dominion of the Commonwealth except South Africa favours equality for the natives and this has been one of the controversial topics at the Round Table Conferences. Britain, which has established the

Native Authority in West Africa, has had much trouble with South Africa over this and the latter is also seriously meditating on the liberal policy (British) to the natives in East Africa,..British fair play is proved by the fact that Julian Huxley, a great critic of Conservative Colonial policy, was sent to West Africa to report on conditions there by the Labour Party on its rise to the Treasury

benches.

P.

P.

(Auckland).