Mixed Reception Awaits Verwoerd

Press, Volume C, Issue 29467, 20 March 1961, Page 15

Mixed Reception Awaits Verwoerd

(N.Z Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, March 18. South Africa waited tensely this week-end for the return of Dr. Verwoerd, whose arrival from London on Monday would signal both a day of celebration and a day of mourning, British newspapers said.

Brass bands, flag-waving schoolchildren and a military guard of honour would meet him at Johannesburg Airport. This welcome had been arranged by the Nationalist Government and Afrikaners, who believed his decision to withdraw South Africa from the Commonwealth to be admirable, the “Daily Mail" said. But members of the Eng-lish-speaking minority in Johannesburg planned a day of mourning, >t The women’s "black sash” organisation would stage a protest march through the city. The Mayor of Johannesburg. Mr Dave Marais, announced bis refusal to be associated with Republic Day celebrations planned on May 31— when the split with the Commonwealth becomes official — and called instead for a day of prayer for the country's future. Dr Verwoerd is returning on the eve of the first anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre, in which 67 Africans were shot dead. The non-white races of South Africa will begin a week of mourning for the Sharpeville victims on Sunday in all main cities. Police are watching the situation closely and troops have been moved to strategic points. The “Daily Express" called this the tensest week-end in Cape Town’s history A new threat of trouble there was a call to thousands of Africans to attend an antiGovernment demonstration on Sunday. The "Daily Telegraph” reported that Africans had burned Dr Verwoerd in effigy on three bonfires at Port Elisabeth. “The Times” said that while there were some extreme Nationalists who professed to be unconcerned about South Africa leaving the Commonwealth, it could safely be said that the majority of citizens were both shocked and dismayed But there was much sympathy for Dr Verwoerd. and acknowledgement that he tried hard to withstand the bitter criticism of the opponents of his policies Reuter reported from Johannesburg that Dr Verwoerd was riding high on a Wave of white feeling that he had saved South Africa from becoming a black coun-

Last night, South Africans heard the Prime Minister, in a special broadcast from London. describe how an all-out attack on South Africa in "unbridled and often insulting language” was made during the Prime Ministers’ conference. Dr. Verwoerd gave his story of the events that led to his decision to withdraw the Union’s application for membership of the Commonwealth. He said objections were chiefly made by Ghana. India and Nigeria. Several Prime Ministers, he said, were “only interested in launching an attack on South Africa, and any references to oppression or racial discrimination in their countries were brushed aside and ignored. "Logic and fact did not count with them, only their prejudice against South Africa.” There is increasing speculation in South Africa that the count-y may withdraw from the United Nations. Associated Press said the United Nations condemnation of South African policies in the mandated territory of South-west Africa had caused anger in the country. South Africa’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth is also increasingly being denounced by political opponents of the Prime Minister (Dr Verwoerd). The leader of the United Party. Sir de 'Hiliers Graaf told a Cape Towm meeting that his party, if it came to power, would seek re-admis-sion to the Commonwealth The leader of the Progressive Party. Dr J Steytler charged that Dr Verwoerd had “betrayed the nation” in leaving the Commonwealth The national vice-president of South Africa’s multi-racial Liberal Party. Mr Jordan Ngubane. told a public meeting: “South Africa has been publicly declared the polecat of the world ” On Friday the “Rand Dailv Mail” published a round-un of opinion among Africans It said there was "almost a unanimous feeling of jov because Verwoerd has got a beating" Most Africans seemed unaware of the deeper issues involved but •he important thing for them was that Dr Verwoerd had suffered a major rebuff.