482
SIR ERNEST OPPENHEIMER
which
could be put at the disposal of the African in the course of African
advancement. It would be possible, further, to split existing jobs by
'fragmentation', so that the African could be advanced by being given
one of the fragmented elements, and, finally, it would be possible to
create new categories, so-called 'intermediatejobs', especially created
for the purpose of African advancement. The upshot was a
recommendation that the problem should be thrashed out between the
companies and the unions: 'that the companies and the European unions
will now apply themselves with the good will and good sense winch is to
be expected of them, and in the knowledge of the serious consequences
to the industry and all in it, as well as to the territory and the
Federation, which failure may entail, to the solution of the problem,
which has been outstanding for too long and the settlement of which, at
a very early date, we regard as imperative.'
The
publication of the Forster report led to renewed discussions between
the Northern Rhodesia Chamber of Mines and the Northern Rhodesia Mine
Workers' Union. At this stage, certain differences of opinion on
tactics began to manifest themselves between die Anglo American
Corporation group and the Selection Trust group. On 3 November 1954
Ernest Oppenheimer issued a further statement, reaffirming the
principle of action by consent:
We
have not considered it right—nor do we now think it proper—that, as an
essential preliminary to further negotiations, any party should be
expected to abandon, without further argument, the attitude it has
previously taken on the issues that have arisen out of earlier
discussions between the parties.
Our
invitation to the Northern Rhodesia Mine Workers' Union to continue
negotiations with our companies is not subject to any predetermined
conditions but is issued in the sincere desire to explore anew the
possibilities of reaching an agreement.
The
Forster report found that there was general agreement among the parties
that the African in the copper-mining industry is capable of industrial
advancement and that he has not yet been permitted to advance to the
full extent of his capabilities.
During
the hearings at the inquiry, various proposals were put forward by the
companies whereby Africans would be permitted to progress within the
industry and other proposals were put forward by the trade unions,
including one from the European union that there should be a
probationary period to give time for African workers to attain European
standards of skill and that during this period African workers should
receive a rate of pay commensurate with their lower capabilities.
