Separation Moves Urged In Natal

Press, Volume C, Issue 29468, 21 March 1961, Page 15

Separation Moves Urged In Natal

(JV.Z. Press A ssotnation-—Copyright) LONDON, March 20. The Natal Provincial Council has been urged by the executive committee of the Federal Party to seek Commonwealth membership for Natal as a separate entity, “The Times” said today in a report from Durban.

In a statement condemning creation of a South African republic and loss of Commonwealth membership, the committee suggested that the council take immediate steps with this aim. Natal would be “a separate State working in harmony with the rest of the Union but free from the fetters of Nationalist domination.”

The statement pointed out that in the referendum on South Africa becoming a republic, residents of Natal Province voted 135.000 to 42,000 against the proposal, which nevertheless was approved in the nationwide poll.

It said the creation of a republic was a breach of faith and "contrary to the wishes of the vast majority of the people of Natal.” In another Natal move against South Africa’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth, a nationwide league has been proposed to work for the country’s readmission.

The league was advocated by a professor of history and political science at Natal University. Dr. Edgar Brookes. He has invited the co-operation of all Opposition political parties.

“We have been cheated out of our membership,” he said, “and there is absolutely no reason why the people of South Africa should sit down and accept this position.” A commentator on the State-operated South African Badio last night claimed that “communism scored a victory in Africa” through South Africa’s departure from the Commonwealth. Associated Press reported. The commentator said: "People ,vho rejoice in this development should reflect that they are on the same side of the fence as the Kremlin.” He said the Commonwealth had lost its staunchest antiCommunist bulwark in Africa and “probably gets as a new Commonwealth leader on this Continent Ghana, whose political leanings are suspect.” A number of whites who normally vote against Nationalist policies believe that Dr. Verwoerd was bullied and insulted in London and did the only honourable thing fn withdrawing. "We can’t have black States dictating to us,” is the common attitude. It seems almost certain that Dr. Verwoerd will take advantage of this feeling to go to the country in a Genera! Election and win.

Armed with a mandate for another five years, he can be expected to hold his present inflexible course. Even his critics say that only economic pressure can make any dent in his armour and in the monolithic structure of his party So far no-one m South Africa seems very clear what economic effects on the country will result from her loss of Commonwealth membership.

While there is a feeling that life will become more expensive and more regimented. some economists agree with the Government that since much of South Africa’s Commonwealth trade particularly with Britain’ is governed by bilateral agree-

ments, there will be little or no immediate change. More Important, it is thought, will be the expected increase in the flow of capital out of the country, already running at a dangerous rate. Thus economists say. in the long run South Africa’s break with the Commonwealth could cost her dear.

The events of the last week have given an added urgency to the country’s bid to expand her export markets, which she began at the time of the world-wide boycott movement against South African goods last year. It may be that economic difficulties over the next few years, a deepening sense of isolation and a belief that present policies constitute a “blind alley” will lead to the downfall of the Nationalist Government as it is known today