Smiles That May Not Last

In a continent where complex constitutional problems breed and sting like mosquitoes, no place has a more complex problem than Nyasaland. A British protectorate, Nyasaland is a stringbean sliver of hills whose 2,720,000 African inhabitants are desperately determined to dissolve their homeland's 1953 forced merger with the two Rhodesias into the white-dominated Central African Federation. Fortnight ago, when delegates from Nyasaland and Britain sat down in London's ornate Lancaster House to debate a new deal for the little land, experts predicted failure. Peppery little Dr. Hastings Banda, idol of Nyasaland blacks, had threatened to walk out if his demands for complete African political control of Nyasaland were not accepted, and white representatives seemed certain to veto anything he suggested. Miraculously, the delegates last week arose from their labors with broad smiles, even if they might prove short-lived.

Credit for the smiles belonged to Iain Macleod, Britain's able Colonial Secretary, who four months ago freed Banda from a Rhodesian jail and allowed him to re-enter politics. "When you released me from prison," Banda told Macleod in London, "you were sticking your political neck out. You won my confidence completely--completely, without reservation."

Trading on Banda's gratitude, Macleod firmly presented the conference with the principles for a new Nyasaland constitution, among them provision for a legislature reflecting Nyasaland's African majority but safeguarding the minority (20,000) whites and Asians. With something for everybody in Macleod's package, bargaining began. In eleven brisk days, agreement was reached on a new legislative council in which the Africans would have 20 of the 33 seats, although a franchise based on income, property and literacy would limit the electoral roll to only 100,000 Africans. In return, Banda agreed that for the time being the executive council should have only an advisory role, leaving the British Governor as top dog.

As the talks ended, Nyasaland's leading white delegate, A.C.W. Dixon, turned to Dr. Banda and glowed: "Do call me up as soon as you get back, and let's have a cup of tea together." But within 24 hours Banda gave an interview suggesting that he had only postponed his more extreme demands: "I am coming back to England very soon. And next time, I shall say, 'Now, Mr. Colonial Secretary, I want this and this and this.'" Such bluster might only be meant to reassure extremists back home. A reporter pressed a further question: Is independence for Nyasaland ten years away? "Half that," replied Banda confidently.

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