 In negotiations on the future of Rhodesia Douglas @-@ Home was less successful . He was instrumental in persuading the rebel leader , Ian Smith , to accept proposals for a transition to African majority rule . Douglas @-@ Home set up an independent commission chaired by a senior British judge , Lord Pearce , to investigate how acceptable the proposals were to majority opinion in Rhodesia . After extensive fieldwork throughout Rhodesia , the commission reported , " We are satisfied on our evidence that the proposals are acceptable to the great majority of Europeans . We are equally satisfied ... that the majority of Africans rejected the proposals . In our opinion the people of Rhodesia as a whole do not regard the proposals as acceptable as a basis for independence . " To Douglas @-@ Home 's disappointment there was no resolution , and Rhodesia remained a rebel regime long after he left office . 
