South Africans Urged To End Race Law

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28183, 23 January 1957, Page 11

South Africans Urged To End Race Law

(hI.Z Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 21. The United Nations Special Political Committee today called on the South African Government to revise its racial policies, and urged the return of its delegation to the United Nations. The resolution, which will go to the General Assembly for endorsement, also requested the SecretaryGeneral, Mr Hammarskjold, to communicate with the South African Government “to carry forward the purposes of this resolution.’* The resolution deplored the fact that the South African Government had “not yet observed its obligations under the Charter and has pressed forward with discriminatory measures which would

make the future observance of these obligations more difficult.” However, the preamble referred to the condition “that a conciliatory approach in accordance with the principles of the Charter is necessary for progress towards a solution.” The resolution was a compromise of two drafts previously introduced in the committee—one by Ceylon, Greece, Haiti, Iran and Iran, the other by the Philippines. All six countries joined in sponsoring the new draft. Voting on the resolution as a whole was 55 in favour, five against, and 10 abstentions The voting was by show of hands except on two paragraphs, when it was by roll-call One paragraph deplored that the Union Government had not yet observed its obligations under the Charter. The other affirmed the conviction that perseverance in discrim-

inatory policies was inconsistent not only with the Charter, but with the forces of progress and international co-operation in implementing the ideals of equality, freedom and justice. The first paragraph was adopted by 53 to five (Australia, Belgium. France. Italy and Britain) with 13 abstentions (including New Zealand. Canada, and the United States). Nine nations were absent. The second paragraph was carried by 53 votes to three (Australia. Belgium, and Britain), with 15 abstentions (including Canada. New Zealand and the United States).