‘Move To Exclude Welensky’

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29912, 28 August 1962, Page 15

‘Move To Exclude Welensky’

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, Aug. 26. A number of Prime Ministers would demand the exclusion of the Rhodesian Federal Prime Minister (Sir Roy Welensky) from the Commonwealth Prime Ministers* conference in London next month, the “Daily Mail” reported. The newspaper said “this highly explosive proposal" was to be made by “some of the Prime Ministers whose action last year resulted in South Africa’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth.” The proposers "insist the

move is not directed personally at Sir Roy Welensky.” The article said Nigeria and Ghana, together with Tanganyika and Sierra Leone, were leading the move. “Some fear the consequences of another bitter debate erupting so soon after the mixed feelings at South Africa’s departure," it said. “Another difficulty is that the debate could easily divide the Commonwealth on racial lines ” The “Daily Mail” said it was intended to present the demand as a purely constitutional issue—that the Rhodesian Federation is not an independent country entitled to a place in the Commonwealth. For Mr Macmillan, who already “had enough trouble on his hands” over the Common Market question, “this could not come at a worse time.” But Mr Macmillan “is expected to handle this prickly situation with delicacy.” The article said the influence of Mr Nehru as an elder statesman could be vital on the debate. The Indian Prime Minister “is not likely to stay silent, but is anxious to avoid acrimony at this meeting when the future of Commonwealth consultation will be under review."’