FEDERATION OF NATIVE WELFARE SOCIETIES IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA. AQtivities of the Organising Secretary.

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1 ./ V fa) -tv. i» \ FEDERATION OF NATIVE WELFARE SOCIETIES IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA. AQtivities of the Organising Secretary. It has been suggested by the Executive Committee that a statement be drawn up outlining the development of work in the Federation office and the activities of the Organising Secretary. It was considered that such a statement would be of value in constituent societies in helping them to appreciate the-amount of work being doneby the Federation, and also keep them in touch with activities. The annual reports submitted by the Chairman obviously cover only a few salient points. VISITS TO SOCIETIES. The aim has been for the Organising Secretary to visit constituent societies twice a year. In some cases this has been achieved but in others difficulties have been experienced (mainly local) in arranging two visits a year. In Bulawayo and Salisbury visits have been more frequent than two a year. Societies have understood that the Organising Secretary was available when required. LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND LOCAL CONDITIONS. The Organising Secretary has attempted to keep in touch with local conditions. During visits to various centres a great deal of time has b^en spent in consultation with local authorities on problems of African welfare; information and advice has been frequently sought from the Federation. NATIVE AFFAIRS DKPARTO ENT. When travelling round the country visits have, whenever possible, been made to local officials o.: the Native Affairs Department. A close contact has been maintained with the Chief Native Commissioner, and he readily grants an interview on every occasion on which the Organising Secretary desires such. TRAVELLING. During the last four years visits to societies and other work associated with the Federation has taken the Organising Secretary away from Bulawayo for approximately 8 to 9 weeks per annum. In addition to areas where there are constituent Na-tive Welfare societies visits have been made to Shabani, Fort Victoria, Mashaba and v vankie. OFFICE WORK. v (a ) Correspondence. As the work^of the Fed ion has increased there has been a related increase in ^ correspondence. In the first few months after the appointment of a whole-time official postages averaged about 6/- per month, but this item has risen to approximately per month. This increase gives some indication df additional correspondence now being dealt with through the Federation office. On an.average 20 letters are received each month from Africans seeking help and advice on various matters. In spite.of editorials and letters in the African Press the Federation has somehow achieved a reputation lor helping Africans..

2 (b) Circular letters to Societies. Since April 1942 no less"than 46 Circular letters have been sent tr constituent societies. (c) Memoranda. Memoranda denllig with a variety of subjects have been issued and these include. Sport and Recreation. Communal Feeding. Post Office Savings Bank & Thrift. Bantu Co-operative movement. Beer Halls. African Education. Health Services for Africans. Wage Regulation. Industrial Conciliation Act. Urban Native Policy. # Co-ordination of Federation Policy. Employment of African Artisars. * E^aty Competitions. Atlantic Charter. Rehabilitation of African Soldiers. Workmen's Compensation Act. Native Marketing Boards. Social Security. Native Trading. _ African Representation in Parliament. Afrioan Trade Unions., National Council of African-Women. Some of these memoranda have have gone to 14 pages. * 'jhort while others Approximately 2PC pages of eyelo-styled material e issued each year Che Federation office (this includes Minutes, Bul3.e :ins etc.). (d) Native Welfare Bulletin. The first,native. Welfare Bul3etirT was issued in December 1943 and had a circul a t i o n o f 200 copies. Twenty-four Bulletins have been issued and the present circulation is approaching 600 copies per month. When the scheme of a monthly Native Welfare Bulletin was adopted it was anticipated that local societies would f time to time send along items for publication, *ut two exceptions this has not been done, and the Organising Sccret y has had to compile the published information himself. The Bulletin is circulated not merely in Southern Rhodeqia but also in Great Britain, the inion of oouth Ainca, Northern Rhodesia, Kenya and Uganda. Many letje? L B u?ietinia ion have been received from those in receipt ofthe Bulletin and there is ample evidence that one circulation of this pub lication has done good. (p.) Interviews. A careful ch-ok has been kept ov.er a long period o F T h e number of interviews m ohe federation office, and these have averaged approximately 40 per month (all equally divided between Europeans and Africans;, Europeans frequently visit the office for information and advice on Wages, Feeding, Housing, Gratuities and ^ployment, as well as general information on variousphases of w<s.. a r e 1w^r. This has been encouraged as it is considered a has activity. Use of the facilities provided by the Federation nas /not been....

3 not been limited to people residing in Bulawayo, but people from Salisbury, Umtali, Gatooma, Gwelo and other centres have also been interviewed* as well as people from other territories. Africans are to an increasing extent coming to the Federation office for help and advice, and some come great distances (Fort Victoria, Belingwe etc.). Local Africans, of course, form the majority. Matters on which help and advice is sought include education, legal^assistance, employment and land questions, Workmen's Compensation^Act, difficulties with employers, gratuities for long service, insurance, trading, correspondence courses and various other matters of importance to Africans. Some of these interviews are long and trying. Some would maintain that these Airicans should approach the Native Affairs Department and not the Federation, but I do not share this view. The only type of interview I have discouraged have been those of petty complaints. Many cases could be cited where valuable assistance has been given to Africans. It might be said at this juncture that in addition to interviews in the office there are many outside interviews throughout the Colony. (f) Essay Competitions. The introduction of Essay competitions for European school pupils (and now for Africans) has involved a good deal of extra work on the part of the Organising Secretary, but :.Le competitions are beneficial and do assist in securing a study of African problems. (g) Study. Research and Investigation. It is essential to keep up to date in knowledge not merely of African Droblems in S. Rhodesia but throughout Africa. People who visit the Federation office for information have a right to expect that this information should be up-to-date and it is claimed that this is a feature of the Federation organisation., In addition to standard works and publications which are studied, the Federation receives free of charge the following publications:- 1 J / The African Weekly. \ \ The Bantu Mirror. V :,-V- x Umteteli wa Bantu. The New Rhodesia. S. Rhodesia Government Gazette. N. Rhodesia Government Gazette. Nyasaland Governxaent Gazette. The Rhodes-Livingstone Institute Pamphlets. The Rhodes-Livingstone Instiuute Publications. Human Problems in British Central Africa, _^Johannesburg Social Welfare Newsletter. ADDRESSES. Since April 1942 addresses on African welfare have been given to the following organisations etc. - Rotary Clubs 6. Women s Institutes 5. Chamber of Industries 1. Church Organisations 5. Special Public Meetings 6. European School Pupils 4. /In addition..

4 In addition to the above several adri^csses have been given at Annual General meetings and ouioi* meetings of Native Welfare Societies. Many African meetings have also been addressed. CONTACTS WITH OTHIS TERRITORIES. Correspondence is received from, and information exchanged with, correspondents in the Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, West Africa, N. Rhodesia, Bechuanaland, the Union of South Africa, Grea Britain and America. It is of interest to note that enquiries received by the Southern Rhodesia Government for information on African welfare and development in the Colony are sometimes passed to the Federation to supply the necessary information. REFERENCE LIBRARY. There are now approximately 400 publications in the Federation Reference Library and -the borrowings during the year ending March 31st 1946 will reach a figure in the vicinity of 120. Increasing use is being made of the library and this will be more evident when the new catalogue of books (at present in preparation) is issued. The library facilities are greatly appreciated. SOCIAL SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS. The following surveys and investigations have been conducted and reported on by the Organising Secretary Urban African Conditions. Living Conditions in Plumtree* Native Juvenile Delinquency in S. Rhodesia. African Girls' Hostel for Salisbury. These investigations and the preparation of the related reports have entailed considerable work but it is maintained that the collection of factual evidence on these important matters has been of great value. The frequent references to the comprehensive survey of urban African conditions appears to demonstrate that importance is attached to this investigation. The Federation has also published The Native Labourer and His Food by Roger Howman, and the responsibility of seeing this through the press rested with the Organising Secretary Federation publications are sold through the office and not booksellers. This arrangement has proved satisfactory and money is saved though extra work is entailed. Investigations are at present being made on African Trade Unions, Native Taxation and Legal Aid for Africans. BUREAU OF INFORMATION. The aim has been to accumulate in the Federation office reliable information on all aspects of African welfare. A great wealth of information is -on file and. this is constantly in use. The Federation is frequently approached by local authorities, Native welfare societies, employers and various /associations...

5 associations for information on subjects such as housing, feeding, wages, milk schemes, Native policy, Native libraries and many other kindred subjects. The federation was recently approached by the Secretary of the Umtali hospital to give advice on books to be purchased for the p?o?os?d library at the Native hospital. After correspondence the Organising Secretary was asked to purchase the required books on behalf of the hospital authorities. This assistance was greatly appreciated.. Recently in a Period of one week the Federation was approached by three difierent employers for advice on Native rations. These are illustrations only and the full list would be very long. Some enquiries involve the typing of lengthy statements. A large number of plans of Native housing and location lay-outs have been accumulated and many have been borrowed by local authorities and employers of labour. An index of these plans is being prepared and will be circulated to constituent societies. INTERTOWN SPORT. In view of the difficulties experienced in intertown sport the Organising Secretary was asked to accept responsibility for arranging inter-town sporting vents. This has been done, and it can safely be claimed that this aspect of welfare work is now on a much more satisfactory basis. Draft rules governing all competitions are now nearing completion and will be issued to societies for comment before the commencement of the coming lootdaii season. CONCLUSION. This statement is not intended to be complete and include every detail of the work covered by present activities. It is hoped, however, t^ ^ hs^ 1^ken place has been given of the developments which, have taken place in recent years and the increased work being undertaken. PERCY IBBOTSON. BULAWAYO.740 January ORGANISING SECRETARY. *

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