MAU MAU SIR,—Your correspondents writing about the Corfield Report are
right to emphasise the grimness of Mau Mau methods and the failures of the administration before the revolt broke out, but the crucial question today is—how far will the Kikuyu. both loyal and ex-Mau Mau, co-operate with the British in evolving a new Kenya? To compare the problem with dealing with Hitler is to suggest that war is the only solution.
Administrative firmness is certainly needed but this can only succeed on a basis of friendliness and re- conciliation between Africans, Asians and Europeans. It is the greatest disservice to the British colonists, whether farmers, businessmen. teachers or mission- aries, to suggest that firmness alone will reduce tension. Only a policy based on service to Africa and to all its peoples will allow a peaceful and indepen- dent Kenya to evolve.
Visitors to Kenya. as I was earlier this year, are all impressed by the large number of Europeans, whether well-known figures like Mr. Michael Blun- dell or headmasters of remote schools in the Taita Hills, or missionaries running inter-racial discussion groups, whose whole effort is devoted tb reconcilia- tion. It would be unfortunate if the discussion of the Corfield Report made their work more difficult.— Yours faithfully.
A. R. WEBSTER Warden Lincoln Theological College •
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