ideal a year ago. But, in general, the constitutional arrangements now proposed for the Borneo territories follow closely the lines which we then envisaged. And, in my judgment, the safeguards which were pressed for by the weight of opinion in the Borneo territories in giving evidence before our Commission, and the safeguards which we ourselves recommended in our Report, have been substantially provided. I therefore feel able to repeat with confidence the words which I used in our Report a year ago; that Malaysia is an attractive and workable project and is in the best interests of the Borneo territory. It was the unanimous opinion of 947 our Commission that, granted the necessary safeguards, Malaysia offered better prospects, both of economic prosperity and of security, than any alternative solution in sight.
Nobody who has studied this area and who knows this part of the world, with its geographical, racial and religious complications; nobody who appreciates the level of development and education in the various components of Malaysia, will underrate the difficulties which lie ahead. Federation, of course, involves give-and-take on all sides, and Malaysia will prove no exception to this rule. Vast problems of administration will need to be overcome with ingenuity, perseverance and good will. It will be necessary to strike, and to maintain, a correct balance between a strong central government and a high degree of local autonomy. Without strong central authority the different territories cannot be welded into one organism, with a national unity and with the vitality to withstand hostile pressures from outside. But an attempt to carry out day-to-day administration in Jesselton or Kuching from Kuala Lumpur, or to submerge the character of the Borneo territories, would only court failure. There are refreshing signs that these requirements are clearly understood. I would add my tribute to that paid by the noble Marquess and the noble Lord who spoke for the Opposition to the statesmanship which has been shown in these negotiations by all the political leaders involved, and in particular to the great vision and determination shown by the Prime Minister of Malaya.
I should like to draw your Lordships' attention to one particular phrase which I used in the concluding paragraphs of our Report: "It is a necessary condition that, from the outset, Malaysia should be regarded by all concerned as an association of partners, combining in the common interest to create a new nation, but retaining their own individualities." I took leave in the Report to recommend that in the forthcoming negotiations Governments should pay close attention to that point, both in its psychological and in its practical aspects. I take leave once again to express the earnest hope that this same point will be in the forefront of the minds of all those who have the task of guiding the Federation in its formative years.
There has been some criticism of the haste with which all this has been done. It is certainly true that the Parliamentary procedures have been a bit rushed, though one can see the reasons why it had to be so. On the main issue I would not agree that things have been unduly hurried. This is no new idea. I remember myself discussing this question with friends in that part of the world as long, ago as the early 1950s. And in the last two years, as the noble Marquess has outlined in his speech, there has been a continuous process of consultation, explanation and negotiation. In my view, a long period of indecision would only have given further scope for agitation and for hostile pressures from within and from without.
In the months which I spent up and down the rivers of Sarawak and from coast to coast in North Borneo I came to have a very deep affection for the peoples of those territories. Everybody who knows those people will wish them well in this exciting venture. I commend this Bill to your Lordships, and I hope that this House will give firm support to the proposals for a Federation of Malaysia.
2.8 p.m.
LORD OGMORE My Lords, I, too, welcome this Bill, and I was very glad that the noble Lord, Lord Cobbold, who has had such recent experience in this particular area, spoke as he did. I think he made some very wise observations on the balance that will be needed to be preserved between the rural areas of Borneo and the more advanced areas such as Singapore and parts of Malaya. I thought the noble Marquess introduced the Bill in a somewhat cavalier manner. I
