More Rights For Rhodesian Africans

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29367, 21 November 1960, Page 19

More Rights For Rhodesian Africans

(N.Z. Press SALISBURY, November 19. A series of bills giving Africans more rights than ever before, and abolishing some of their most bitter grievances, were given a first reading by the Southern Rhodesian Parliament today.

The bills abolish the hate “pass” system, make the firs slight move towards Africar residence in white suburbs, ant provide for the gradual granting of responsible local govemmen in African townships. The “pass” system which ha: been at the root of African un rest in South Africa as well a: Rhodesia, is killed in the bill which seeks repeal of the Native: Registration Act. This act compels an Africar to carry separate “passes”— signed certificates of permissior —whenever he seeks a job whenever he wants to leave hi: employer's residence at night whenever he wants to visi another urban township. He must also carry a “pass’ to show he has a job. Identity Card Only All this is swept away in tht new bill. The only document he will have to carry will be ar identity certificate. It alsc abolishes the need for a certificate of permission before a mar can conduct his own business ir an African township. The second bill provides foi setting up “local boards” in areas which do not yet have some fonr of local authority. It applies tc African townships in the vicinitj of white cities, and also to isolated communities of whites. Initially boards would be nominated by the Governor, but there would be gradual progression tc a board elected by local inhabitants. The third bill proposes thal land in an African township may be owned or leased by an African. Whites would be prohibited from acquiring or occupying land in African townships except in special circumstances. There is also provision for Africans to occupy Crown land in a white area if undergoing instruction at an approved educational institute, or receiving treatment at a Government hospital or clinic. Swifter political, social and economic advance of Southern Rhodesia’s Africans towards an integrated society is recommended in a report issued in Salisbury today on the Multiracial National Convention which met in Salisbury earlier this month. Reforms Suggested The report, which was sent tc the Government, largely matches and in some respects surpasses the Monckton Report in the liberal reforms it suggests. Nearly 200 delegates from all

i leading organisations in Southern ; Rhodesia attended the convention under the chairmanship of Sir John Kennedy, a former Governor 1 of Southern Rhodesia. ! The report’s major reeom- • mendations include: . All “unfair racial discrimination” must be eliminated. . There must be “early and substantial participation by Africans in the Legislature.” Africans should have progressive participation in the administration of their own townships, and there should be progressive integration of urban townships, both white and African, in the over-all metropolitan system. All races should participate in the administration of justice. All restrictions on the sale of liquor and firearms to Africans should be lifted. African and white education should come under the same department, and the country should work towards integration of schools. The principle of “equal pay for equal work” must be pressed forward as fast as the economy of the country could stand it. In an introduction to the report, Sir John Kennedy says: “The majority of the participants are leaders in their sphere.”