xxii LOCAL POLITICS 219 



and accused the parent body of using its old name for 

 the furtherance of the interests and ambitions of a 

 small clique. By 19 16 the old Colonists' Association 

 could no longer be said to be in any way representative 

 of the farmer's interests, and Lord Delamere and others 

 determined to form another body that should be in a 

 position to speak for the whole country. This body 

 was formed and constituted what is now known as the 

 Convention of Associations, or, more shortly, the Con- 

 vention. This association, which as far as possible 

 represents every locality and interest in the Protectorate 

 connected with white colonisation, meets, except in 

 urgent circumstances, but twice a year. It is attended 

 by Delegates selected by every Association of any sort 

 whatever. Indeed, the ambition of every class and 

 sect to send such a Delegate Was carried at first almost 

 to ludicrous lengths, culminating in a notice, no doubt 

 bogus, in the local paper to something like the 

 following effect : — 



The Rat Killers' Association Meets Next 



Wednesday 



Agenda : (1) To kill the rats in my back garden. 



(2) To select Delegates for the Conven- 

 tion. 



Such Delegates are instructed by their Associations 

 to introduce various matters for consideration. The 

 institution as a whole is an attempt to form a local 

 Parliament on as broad lines as the exigencies of 

 the situation permit. Among various bodies which 

 send Delegates are — The Colonists' Association, the 

 Land-holders' Association, the Pastoralists, the 

 Coffee-planters, Ulu, Limoru, Uasin Guishu, 

 Ndarugu, Kyamba, Lumbwa, etc. 



