DIVISION OF AFRICA

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26847, 27 September 1952, Page 7

DIVISION OF AFRICA

White And Black States Urged (Ret. 10 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, Sept 28. The division of Africa south of Abyssinia into independent white and black States was suggested last night by Mr Oswald Pirow, Minister of Defence in Hertzog’s Cabinet at the outbreak of the last war. Mr Pirow, who was addressing a private meeting to which he had invited an audience of 150, was commenting on recent reports that he had been asked to take the lead in forming a centre party in the Union. Mr Pirow said he was not interested in forming a new party, which would be doomed to failure. He said Africa had large areas of some of the best soil in the world. It was big and empty and could support a very much larger population than now. A solution could not be left too late, because the East had envious eyes on Africa. The African in the Union had no future, but if he was given a future in a State of his own, disaster could be averted, Mr Pirow said. Two-thirds of the African continent was climatically unfit for whites, but most Africans could live there. By consultation with the white powers in Africa, areas could be set aside as independent African States where the white man would have no right Mr Pirow said the whites should keep to the “backbone" running from Abyssinia down to the Union. In these parts the climate would tolerate Europeans. He realised there would be

practical difficulties, but if the white powers co-operated they could be overcome. The great advantage would be that Africans would have their own home lands, perhaps the Protectorates. a State in Northern Rhodesia, and the Transkei in Eastern Cane Province. South Africans must realise civilised Africans were entitled to equality, but there could never be equality in the same State without the white race disappearing. “That is why I say. give the native his share of Africa, but insist that in your own area there won't be equality,” Mr Pirow said. There would be at least 1.900,000 Africans who could not reasonably be made citizens of a State outside the white area of the Union. They would remain and in fame could perhaps get Parliamentary representation. That would depend on future public opinion. Referring to the British Protectorates. Bechuanaland. Swaziland, and Basutoland. Mr Pirow said he did not think South Africa would eet them if Britain refused to grant them. South Africa could not apply sanctions. South Africa might "starve out" the Protectorates, but her carital supplies would be cut off by Britain and the United States. He suggested an approach to Britain on the basis of his plan to develop the Protectorates as independent native States.