SWAZILAND PARTIES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30147, 3 June 1963, Page 13

SWAZILAND PARTIES

Rejection Of Constitution

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) MBABANE

(Swaziland), June 1

The two main African nationalist parties in Swaziland today rejected the new British-imposed Constitution as “racialist and discriminatory." The small but active Zangwe National Liberatory Congress said it would call a “national conference" soon to propose a boycott of the Constitution and of elections due to be held under it. The Z.N.L.C. wants “independence now.’’

The deputy leader of the more moderate ■ Swaziland Democratic Party, Dr Allen Numalo, announcing that his party rejected the Constitution, said: “We are very disappointed. We have to consider whether we will cooperate or take some other step." Strike Threat The secretary-general of the Z.N.L.C., Mr Dlamini, today threatened a general strike in protest against the Constitution. The constitutional proposals, announced in a British White Paper on Thursday, were "imposed” by the Commonwealth and Colonial Secretary, Mr Sandys.

He acted after talks with representatives of the territory’s 260,090 Swazis, 9000 Europeans, and about 2000 people of mixed race, had failed to reconcile disagreements, particularly about the composition of the new legislation.

Observers believed that although there would be an African majority in the Legislative Council, it would not be a “nationalist” majority.

Eight of the 24 elected members would be "traditionalist” supporters of King Scbhuza 11. They would probably be backed by at least four of the eight white members. African Nationalists could be expected to win some of the eight seats for people of any race.