Rush In Johannesburg For British Passports

Press, Volume C, Issue 29466, 18 March 1961, Page 11

Rush In Johannesburg For British Passports

JOHANNESBURG, March 16. I he British Information Office in Johannesburg reported today that it had been “inundated” with enquiries about obtaining British passports. An official said a number of South Africans had asked whether they were entitled to British passports on the grounds of having a father or a mother born in Britain.

But, he said, the inquiries came mainly from people entitled to British passports, for which they had not applied or which had lapsed. “A lot of people have come in, and the telephone has been ringing continuously.” he said. The London "Evening Standard,” in a story from Durban, said about 30,000 Britons living in South Africa would become foreigners on May 31 as a result of Dr. Verwoerd's decision. They were immigrants since 1949 who had steadfastly refused to become South African citizens “until they could see which way the wind blows.” Some of these immigrants said they would choose British citizenship and come under the protection of the British Ambassador. Most white South Africans —including a fair number of the English-speaking Opposition—today rallied behind Dr. Hendrik Verwoerd’s walk-out from the Commonwealth in London. They based their support on the grounds that he refused to be bullied by nonwhite pressure groups. This reflected the fact.

sometimes obscured, that most whites in South Africa are in favour of the colour bar—if not of the Nationalist way of applying apartheid It seemed certain Dr. Verwoerd would call a general election in May and win it. But behind political talk of elections and referendums lurked a fear that the Union’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth would precipitate another financial crisis. Gold shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange dived this morning, but rallied in the afternoon. South African newspapers dtisted off type last used for the declaration of World War II to announce Dr. Verwoerd's decision. Most newspaper comment centred on the effects the news was likely to have on South Africa’s way of life, and the effects on commerce, the economy, agriculture and sport. Certain Commonwealth privileges went by the board, and could not be reclaimed by any bilateral agreements. One example was South Africa’s sugar quota of 250.000 tons a year. Dr. Verwoerd has cancelled visits to Germany and France to return hurriedly to his country on Monday.