Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1950-02-17

other parties and some 1900 ca
parliament.
Nevertheless. the outcome Of the
election win have q far-reaching
effect upon the lives and fortunes
Of some 10000 Negroes living in
British colonies In Africa, the
West Indies, and in South and
Central America. The Negroes In
these colonies now represent over
60 percent Of all the peoples in the
British colonial empire.
Both the Conservative and La
Dor Parties agree on two things
The colonies must be held and de-
veloped individually 10 enable
Great Britain to maintain her
standard Of living and her posi-
ton AZ a world power.
In order TO realize these advant-
ages both parties also agree that
social, political, and economic
conditions in the colonies must be
vastly improved and in a compart.
lively short time. This must be
done not only TO develop the
wealth Of the colonies. particularly
in Africa. II must be done 10
check the growing menace OF
Communism in practically all
British colonies.
The Conservative and Labor
parties differ strongly over mea-
sures TO develop these Negro lands
and at the same time keep them
politically loyal to the British en-
pire. The way this problem Is dealt
with by the all-powerful British
colonial office actually win in
nuence IL not control the destinies
OF the world Negro population
living outside Of the United states,
Brazil. and several small Carib-
bean islands.
Great Britain Gets Leadership
The other major colonial powers
In the world. France. Belgium. the
Netherlands. and Portugal all hav-
ing millions Of Negroes In their
colonies, look to Great Britain
for leadership on matters concern
ing colonial development. They
also follow the lead OF the British
in opposing certain policies Of the
u. N. Trusteeship council designed
TO speed economic and political
progress In colonial areas.
Spokesman for the Labor and
Conservative parties have repeat
eddy declared that neither politi-
cal Independence nor internal self
government will be granted to a
colony before social and economic
conditions are raised to level
high enough to support a truly
West Indian territories largely in
the hands of private individuals.
In reality this means porpctuating
the strange hold which private
business men and combines in the
British Isles have upon Negro
lands within the empire. Negro
leaders in Nigeria. the Gold Coast,
Kenya, and the West Indies. to
mention a few areas. fear this pol
icy will not only prevent the rise
Of native business classes, but
would settle among them a ruling
class OF Europeans as now ex.
tsts In Kenya and the Rhodesias.
Achievements Impressive
Both the Labor and Conserva.
tive parties have voted for meas
Sures running into millions OF
dollars TO finance health services,
develop agriculture, build roads,
irrigation projects, schools. col
leges, and similar projects Prac.
tically all OF the colonies have i'm.
preSsive l0-year development
plans which are being financed by
democratic and progressive gov.
eminent.
Al this point the major British
parties differ sharply, Winston
Churchill wants the British
government TO leave the economic
development Of Its African and
contributions from the British and
colonial treasures. Though the re-