§ 73. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the recent speech of the Governor of Tanganyika, Sir Richard Turnbull, when he said that a multi-racial policy is to be replaced by a non-racial establishment that will be predominantly African; and whether the speech was made with his approval.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Governor did not say this; and in order that hon. Members may be clear as to the terms of his statement, which had my approval, 1 will with permission circulate a copy of the relevant part of his speech in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the passage:
A belief appears to exist amongst some people that a 'multi-racial'—or, as I would prefer to call it, and intend to call it, a 'non-racial' policy will in some way or other prevent the Africans of Tanganyika from reaching their full political stature and from playing their proper part in the government of this country. This is not so, and in view of the many statements that have been made about Her Majesty's Government's intentions for the future of the territory I cannot understand why this misunderstanding should still persist. May I remind Honourable Members of what, a short eighteen months ago, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said at the General Assembly of the United Nations in February, 1957. He said: 'As the educational, social and economic progress of the African community in Tanganyika continues, the participation of the African in both legislative and executive branches of government is bound to increase'. It seems to me that this categorical statement of Her Majesty's Government's policy in this matter should reassure all Africans in Tanganyika as to the pattern which future developments in Tanganyika will take. In terms of population the Africans are and always will he an overwhelming majority in Tanganyika and, as the country progresses, it is right and proper, as indeed it is natural and inevitable, that African participation both in the legislature and in the executive should steadily increase. It is not intended, and never has been intended, that parity should be a permanent feature of the Tanganyika scene. On the other hand it is intended, and always has been intended, that the fact that when 178W self-government is eventually attained both the legislature and the government are likely to be predominantly African should in no way affect the security of the rights and interests of those minority communities who have made their homes in Tanganyika. I am glad to note that the responsible leaders of major political parties in the territory are in complete agreement on this important matter; and that there is therefore a good prospect that in due course there will exist in Tanganyika a government to which Her Majesty's Government will be able to devolve their trust as being a government under which responsible people of all races would feel secure.