Outlook in West Africa
Some of the significant war-time developments in Britain's -colonies were outlined last week by Lord Swinton, Minister Res' in West Africa. The tremendous establishments of the R.A.F. West Africa have brought new kinds of technical training and e tion, new experiences and habits, new opportunities of econ prosperity, to territories which have been neglected too long. great airfields of war will be needed in peace for civil comm tion and transport. Air-lines from America and the West I will link West Africa with the transatlantic lands on one side, Khartoum and the Near East on the other. The airports will special attention to the organisation of health and sanitation at in their areas. In the production of raw materials—especially oil, timber and ground nuts—for Britain and for liberated Eur the colonies are already playing a great part and will yet pig greater* With good markets and assured prices, the farmers been stimulated to grow so much that West Africa is already on the way to self-sufficiency in foodstuffs, since three-quarters former imports are now home grown. The talents of the W African as a craftsman need and deserve further development, Lord Swinton mentioned the project of building up the s industry of Iurniture-making--4he parts to be made in Africa assembled here. The timber of West Africa's forests and the of her people will have a special and immediate value in the war years. It is to be hoped that the wise start which has made under the present Resident Minister will be equally s; followed up by his successors who—if not Ministers Resin should be of a status equally expressive of the colonies' impor in the British Empire.
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