Annual report on Northern Rhodesia / Colonial Office.

  • Colonial Office
Date:
[1959]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report on Northern Rhodesia / Colonial Office. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/150 page 3
    PART I Review of 1959 Copper mining is the economic mainstay of the Territory and has, from the earliest days, been the principal support of Northern Rhodesia. The measures taken by Government and private enterprise in 1958 to econo¬ mise, in consequence of the falling price of copper, were continued in 1959 and efforts were maintained to build up a more balanced economy. The copper price at the beginning of the year was £230 per ton, and although the price varied between a lower limit of £209 per ton and an upper limit of £267 per ton the general trend was upwards and the year closed with the price at £263 per ton. A strong buying movement during the first half of the year based on fears of a strike in the American mines prevented any sharp rise in price when the strike actually occurred. Economy by Government is still required, however, as increases in revenue as a result of record copper production and more favourable world prices during the year will not be felt until 1961. The year was generally a happy one in the industrial relations field in the Territory as no major trade disputes or strikes occurred. The question of the advancement of Africans to more responsible posts in the Railways Undertaking was under discussion at the close of the year. More details about industrial relations appear later in this report. The Tenth Legislative Council of Northern Rhodesia reached the end of its five-year term on 19th January, 1959, and the Council was dissolved on that date. On 23rd January the Northern Rhodesia (Legislative Council) Order in Council and Additional Instructions made by Her Majesty the Queen to amend the Royal Instructions were published, giving legislative effect to a new constitution for Northern Rhodesia. The constitution is briefly summarised on page 103 in the chapter on “ Administration The Governor’s proclamation of a general election, to constitute a new Legislative Council under the revised constitution, was issued on 30th January. Nomination day was to be on 27th February and polling day was fixed for 20th March. The new constitution had had a mixed reception from the political movements operating in the Territory. Reference was made in the Review of 1958 to the emergence towards the end of that year of two African National Congress parties following a cleavage in the leadership of the old Congress. Towards the end of the period when voters were being registered under the Territory’s new franchise law, leaders of the old
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