Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1956-05-11
BY Roscoe Dungee

west AlFlNhs $780,
No one knows better than the
English that the worm is turn
ing" and that colonial life is on its
last legs. The recent visit of the
Queen and her Consort was proof
of this conclusion on the part Of
the Colonial government.
During her visit here the queen
drove in open car all the way from
Lagos To Ibadan in an effort TO
convince the peasants that she
loved them; but despite the devo-
ton to her subjects. Her Majesty
and England know that Nigeria
means more economically and in
every way to England that Eng
Ian means to Nigeria.
II was because OF a last des-
perate desire TO preserve her tot
tortng economy that Her Males.
tvs government risked countless
millions upon the peanut industry
shortly following the loss OF India.
That hot dusty ride between Lagos
and Adaban was a futile effort TO
save England's basic supply OF oils
and fats, and not because the
queen and her gay hubby wanted
to see the dirty. steaming Yoru.
bas.
England secures her palm ker-
nels and ground nuts from Nj
geria. There was talk sometimes
ago in America that II England
could not counterpart in Africa
what she had annually been with
drawing from India, that at least
half the English people would
have to immigrate from the Brit
ish Isles TO Canada and other dis
tant points OF the universe where
England still holds sway.
This was why we say that the
"'ihi - AbA ihhk anu tIidt the
African apple that has remained
50 long in the barrel, In perfect
condition, is beginning to rot.
England now knows that II
these hitherto helpless Africans
can under the leadership OF strong
men like Prime Minister Azikiwe
OF the Eastern Region, and Prime
Minister Awolowo. OF the Western
section wrest their economy from
their exploiters, the Jig is up.
In this mystic land there IL vast
wealth in the basic commodit les
upon which the world feeds. For
several centuries colonialism has
stood at the gateway Of her ter
rttories, fixing the price for which
these commodities will be sold on
world markets. and supplying the
natives with nothing more than
mere subsistence for the terrible
labor and toll they have invested
in these colossal world treasures
There has never been a fair ex-
change for these priceless goods.
and since I have been here have
seen. even in this hour when indie
pendcnce Is Just n breath away.
native boys not out 81 their teens
carrying l00-pound sacks Of Co
Goa, palm nuts and castor seeds on
their heads for a few pence a day.
Back Of the facade Of intsres,
the queen gave expression 20 quite
recently il the futile desire 20
continue way Of life. az South
ernors in Florida and Mississippi.
seek 10 retain their traditional
control over wages paid the sons
Of former slaves in their area. II
IL the same cruel whip Of material.
ism one finds everywhere he goes
OF course coIonialism has had
It's advantages "a well as It's dis
advantages One can see here in
the Mainland hotel. where am
stopping evidences Of an incipient
aruusal 81 middle class. which Is
slowly growing. Young Sigerisns
well dressed, come here and sit IN
the lobby drinking and meditat.
ing
There is positively No segrega-
ton, and the cocoa planters. which
u the rising group, come here "a
consult with exporters. They are
moving slowly, but they have &C.
curstsly set their goals
ColoriaIisrn has taught the en-
trrprsng native that he can re-
tain his energy 10 advance in air.
cooled temples OF pleasure. such a.
the eSploiters have set UP here.
Through the ages. there has been
no opportunity 10 associate their
IDEAS and visions with men % allen
climes but now he r. awakening
watched a woman this eve.
ning who came 20 the hotel 20 wait
for her husband She was a
dorusd in diamonds. and wore an
expensive dress that would do
credit % Fffth Avenue tn New
York had nothing 10 do but
watch her AZ a distance A. long
last. q SiEenAn came in, attirsd
In native costume TIE role he
gathered around Rim was the mos,
resple-fsn' ! have seen since CON-
ing her. I watched them for more
sk.- - 49, - rrar hmA A.