The agreement provides for the formal independence from Great Britain of the white-ruled colony, provided the country's 5,000,000 Blacks accept the terms of a new constitution. While giving lip service to the principle of majority rule (there are only 250,000 whites in Zimbabwe), the new constitution actually allows an almost indefinite extension of the present system of white domination.

On January 17, some 8,000 Blacks took to the streets of Gwelo, a city in the central part of the country, shouting "No! No!" Mobile police units assaulted the demonstrators with tear gas. One Black was killed; fifty-five were arrested.

Despite the police repression, the Gwelo demonstrations continued for three days, with Blacks defending themselves against the police attacks.

On January 19, the protests spread to the capital, Salisbury, where cars belonging to whites were stoned by Africans chanting "No! No!" - A phrase that quickly became a national slogan.

Blacks opposition appeared to be so unanimous that even the Center party, a coalition of Black and white liberals that opposes the Smith regime but had urged acceptance of the agreement, reversed its stand on January 20.

February 1, 1947
SOUTH ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 25 - Announcement that Armour & Co. in 1946 netted $30,291,128 profits - highest in the country despite the meat famine imposed by the packing trust - was received with indignation by the organized packinghouse workers of this area.

After drawn-out negotiations with the CIO United Packinghouse Workers, Armours and the other "Big Four" packing corporations (Swift, Cudahy and Wilson) granted a 7 1/2 cent hourly wage increase plus additional concessions on holidays with pay, elimination of some geographical wage differentials, sick leave, etc. But two of the most important demands, for a cost-of-living bonus (a form of escalator clause) and a guaranteed annual wage, were lost in the shuffle.

Dissatisfaction with the company's offer was shown in the UPWA National Strike Strategy Committee, where several members are reported to have voted against the packers' proposals and urged a fight for the union's original demands. The top leadership headed by UPWA President Ralph Helstein, former lawyer for the union pushed through acceptance of the packers inadequate offer.

Rumblings of discontent are being heard among the UPWA ranks as they find their measly 7 1/2-cent increase already being eaten up by rising prices. They are talking about renewing their demand for a cost-of living bonus next April when the contract can be reopened for new wage demands.  
 
 
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