VERWOERD ON TV

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29179, 13 April 1960, Page 25

VERWOERD ON TV

Strife Blamed On Communists (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, April 11. Communist agitation lay behind recent demonstrations in South Africa, Dr. Verwoerd said in a filmed television interview shown throughout Britain on the commercial television network tonight. He was being questioned by four independent observers from Britain who spent 10 days in South Africa preparing their own report on the situation there. He was asked if he would agree that “the recent riots and demonstrations were an African protest against the reference book system.” He replied: “They were made misuse of. But behind these recent troubles and disturbances were much bigger things. There is a Communistic agitation going on.” The Union exposition, at which Dr. Verwoerd was shot, will reopen this morning at the request of the Prime Minister and his wife. Its sudden closure after the shooting is believed to have cost the organisers thousands of pounds. The exposition was part of the Union’s fiftieth anniversary festival programme.

U.K. PRESS COMMENT

“Violence Begets Violence” (N.Z. Pres* Association—Copyright) LONDON. April 11. Sympathy for the South African Prime Minister (Dr. Verwoerd) and sharp criticisms of the attempt on his life dominated British press comment on the Union today. Most newspapers reiterated their firm opposition to apartheid and said violence had begotten violence. Some expressed relief that the man who had fired the shot was not an African. “The Times” said good wishes for Dr. Verwoerd’s complete recovery would go out from Britain to join those of his fel-low-countrymen of every shade of opinion and in every walk of life. South African leadership could not afford at the present critical juncture anything less than a cool assessment of realities. The “Guardian” claimed that the South African Government's policy had been condemned with a world-wide unanimity which must be without parallel. But those who hoped that the change would soon come about from within the Union would not have wished to see it come about through anarchy.

ARREST OF REPORTER

“Daily Herald” Correspondent (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, April 11. The “Daily Herald" said today that it had been informed that one of its correspondents in South Africa, Mrs Myrna Blumberg, of Cape Town, had been arrested. Confirmation was awaited from the South African Government. The "Daily Herald” also said it had asked for an explanation from the South African High Commissioner in London (Dr. van Rhijn) and had forwarded a protest to the South African Government. Later, American Associated Press reported from Cape Town that Mrs Blumberg was held by police for questioning. Police arrested her this morning, the agency said. Reuter said telegrams of protest had been sent to the Minister of Justice in South Africa (Mr Erasmus) and to the South African Journalists’ Association. They were from the London branch of the National Union of Journalists and from Mrs Blumberg’s former colleagues at the "Daily Herald.”